Who / What
Submarine cable refers to any electrical cable laid on the seabed, and the term is often extended to cables placed on the bottom of large freshwater bodies. These cables transmit data, voice, or power across underwater environments.
Background & History
The concept of submarine cabling dates back to the early 19th century with the first transatlantic telegraph cable. Over the past century, technology has progressed from copper to optical fiber, greatly increasing capacity and speed for international communications.
Why Notable
Undersea cables are critical infrastructure for the global Internet, carrying the vast majority of international data traffic. They enable real-time communication, financial transactions, and digital services worldwide, making them indispensable to modern economies.
In the News
Recent disruptions to submarine cables—such as physical cuts, natural events, and geopolitical tensions—highlight their vulnerability. The ongoing expansion of fiber-optic networks and debates over cybersecurity and sovereignty also keep submarine cables in the spotlight.
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