How subsea cables power the global internet

Key Concepts:

• Submarine Cables
• International Internet Traffic
• Economic Transactions
• Data Transmission Capacity
• Critical Infrastructure Protection

Manufacturing of Submarine Internet Cables

In a seaside town in northern France, a significant portion of the world's internet infrastructure is manufactured. Thousands of miles of submarine cables are produced annually at Alcatel Submarine Network's facility in Calais. These cables are essential for the global internet, with over 95% of international internet traffic relying on them.

Scale and Importance of Submarine Cables

• Global Reach: Nearly a million miles of submarine cables are currently in service worldwide, connecting almost every continent.
• Economic Impact: These cables facilitate approximately $10 trillion in daily economic transactions, highlighting their crucial role in the global economy.
• Data Capacity: The cables are capable of transmitting hundreds of terabytes of data per second, enabling the vast flow of information that characterizes the modern internet.
• Content of Data: The information transmitted includes a wide range of data, from sensitive financial transactions and government communications to everyday content like emails and streaming movies.

Functionality and Technology

The submarine cables, despite their critical function, are often no larger than a garden hose. They form the "superhighway of the internet," silently carrying the bulk of international data traffic across ocean floors.

Stakeholders and Concerns

CNBC's investigation involved discussions with various stakeholders, including:

• Government Officials: To understand the strategic importance and security implications of this infrastructure.
• Submarine Cable Manufacturers: To gain insight into the production process and technological capabilities.
• Tech Giants: To assess their reliance on and investment in submarine cable networks.

The primary focus of these discussions was to underscore the crucial role of submarine cables in maintaining global connectivity and to explore measures for protecting this vital infrastructure.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Submarine cables are the unseen backbone of the global internet, facilitating the vast majority of international data traffic and underpinning trillions of dollars in daily economic activity. Despite their relatively small physical size, these cables possess immense data transmission capabilities. Their critical nature necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their importance and the development of robust strategies for their protection, as highlighted by the investigations involving government officials, manufacturers, and tech industry leaders.