-
What are undersea internet cables and how do they operate?
Undersea internet cables are long, thin strands of fiber optic cables laid on the ocean floor. They transmit data using light signals, allowing fast and reliable communication between continents. These cables are connected to land-based networks at landing stations, enabling global internet traffic to flow seamlessly across the world.
-
Why are undersea cables vital for global internet connectivity?
More than 95% of international data travels through undersea cables, making them essential for global communication, banking, commerce, and emergency services. They support everything from video calls to financial transactions, ensuring the world stays connected in real time.
-
What are the risks of damage to undersea cables?
Undersea cables face threats from natural events like earthquakes and storms, as well as human activities such as fishing, anchoring, and even sabotage. Recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have caused outages, showing how geopolitical conflicts can also threaten these vital links.
-
How are undersea cables protected and maintained?
Cables are heavily protected with armor and are laid in deep, less accessible parts of the ocean to reduce damage risk. Maintenance involves specialized ships that locate and repair faults, often taking weeks to restore disrupted services after damage occurs.
-
What happens when an undersea cable is damaged?
Damage to a cable can cause internet outages in large regions, affecting millions of users. Service providers often reroute traffic through other cables or satellite links temporarily while repairs are underway, but outages can last days or weeks depending on the severity.
-
Are undersea cables vulnerable to sabotage or attacks?
Yes, they can be targeted intentionally, especially in conflict zones or areas with regional tensions. Recent incidents in the Red Sea linked to regional conflicts show how geopolitical issues can threaten these critical infrastructures.