Geopolitical tensions challenge subsea cable projects, as governments prioritize security of critical infrastructure. Despite obstacles, the industry innovates with emerging technologies like multicore fiber to meet soaring connectivity demands.
The SHEFA-2 underwater cable, which connects the Faroe Islands to Scotland’s mainland through the Shetland and Orkney Islands, suffered damage in two separate instances last week, rendering much of the island without Internet access. In separate events, three critical subsea cables linking Marseille to Lyon, Milan and Barcelona were deliberately severed in the south of France, according to the cable’s operator, affecting internet service for consumers in Europe, Asia and the United States. Cloud service providers worked quickly to repair the backbone infrastructure. According to a report by the cloud security company Zscaler, the unanticipated cable damage caused packet loss and increased latency for websites and apps transiting the damaged pathways. While the French authorities believe sabotage occurred, their Scottish colleagues are still unsure of what actually severed the wires. “We expect it will be fishing vessels that damaged the cable but it is very rare…
NEC Corporation, along with its subsidiary OCC Corporation and Sumitomo Electric Industries, has stated that they have conducted the first testing of an uncoupled 4-core underwater fiber cable and confirmed its transmission performance to fulfill the stringent requirements of global telecommunications networks. International data usage is anticipated to increase by 30-40% by 2026, owing to reasons such as the expansion of 5G mobile data and the necessity to exchange ever more content between data centers located around the world. Submarine networks are using space division multiplexing (SDM) technology to fulfill this need, which increases the number of separate spatial channels to maximize the overall capacity of the system, decrease energy usage and minimize the cost per bit transferred. Multicore fiber is projected to increase the number of parallel optical fiber cores without changing the size and structure of underwater cables, allowing the introduction of second generation of submarine SDM…
NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and NTT Corporation (NTT) today announced that they have successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind transoceanic-class 7,280km transmission experiment using a coupled 12-core multicore fiber (*1), which consists of 12 optical signal transmission paths in a standard outer diameter optical fiber (0.125 mm). This achievement is expected to be a next-generation transmission infrastructure technology that will contribute to the realization of large-capacity optical networks, including future optical submarine cables.
Neterra, a telecommunications trailblazer for nearly three decades, recently secured the prestigious ‘Best Central & Eastern European Carrier’ award at the Global Carrier Awards 2023. In an exclusive interview with Svetoslava Bancheva, the PR and Digital Communications Manager, Neterra’s evolution from providing Bulgaria’s first internet connection to becoming a global telecom solution provider unfolds. Svetoslava highlights pivotal milestones, including running submarine cables under the Danube River and the establishment of the Sofia Data Center.
The Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme is revolutionizing Europe’s digital infrastructure. Since 2021, €615 million has been invested into 75 innovative projects, accelerating high-speed connectivity, and strengthening network sovereignty across the EU. New funding calls, open until 2026, aim to enhance backbone networks and integrate sensor technologies for secure, resilient European digital frameworks.
Farice, Iceland’s telecommunications company, is bolstering its infrastructure with the AUÐUR subsea cable, linking Iceland to Scotland. Enhancing VoIP capabilities, this 1,300-kilometer cable promises high-capacity data services, crucial for Nordic regions thriving on data center growth. A pivotal investment for improved VoIP connectivity, it’s set to operationalize by 2030.
Ciena and Meta’s collaboration marks a milestone in subsea telecommunications, successfully transmitting 800 Gb/s over 16,608 km without needing signal regeneration. Utilizing Ciena’s advanced WaveLogic 6 Extreme technology on Meta’s Bifrost cable, this breakthrough highlights advancements in long-distance VoIP data transmission, essential for evolving AI and cloud-scale networks.
The UK’s focus on safeguarding its undersea networks is critical amid rising tensions with Russia and China. With concerns over VoIP communication vulnerabilities and infrastructure threats, the Royal Navy is vigilant. Reforms ensure clear accountability, emphasizing the importance of protecting crucial subsea networks for digital security.
Orange Business has unveiled its new Defense & Security Division, affirming its dedication to sovereignty in defense and homeland security. This aligns with its “Lead the Future” strategy, targeting strategic verticals with sovereignty implications.
