The internet’s existence hinges on a vast network of subsea cables beneath the ocean, responsible for over 95% of global data traffic. By 2025, there will be 570 subsea cable systems, with 81 more planned, driven by increasing data demand, AI growth, and the need for robust connectivity. Investment in these cables is surging, with over $13 billion expected between 2025 and 2027. Unlike the early 2000s, tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are now leading investments, creating private cables to enhance their global data networks. The exponential growth in data, dominance of content providers, and aging infrastructure are key factors in this trend. The internet’s traffic doubles biennially, necessitating faster connections. Tech companies consume most subsea bandwidth, leading them to build rather than lease cables. Businesses require resilient networks to ensure continuity, while older cables need replacement with advanced systems. Future connectivity trends include data centre interconnection, geographic diversity, technological advancements, and climate resilience. Subsea cables now link data centres, crucial for AI, streaming, and cloud computing. New routes connect underserved regions, enhancing resilience. Technological innovations improve speed, capacity, and durability, while climate change prompts deeper cable burial and reinforced designs. With 150-200 cable faults yearly, maintenance is crucial, alongside enhanced security measures. Africa is witnessing a subsea cable revolution, with significant investments on both coasts. New cables, like 2Africa and Equiano, boost bandwidth and interconnection. Teraco’s data centres, hosting over 250 network providers, are central to this ecosystem, enabling seamless provider switching and route alternatives. NAPAfrica, a top global IXP, supports traffic exchange, maintaining services during outages and ensuring internet access.
How Do Subsea Cables Drive the Digital Economy?
