How a Few Undersea Cables Connect the Entire Internet

Summary

The video script reveals the world's surprising dependency on undersea cables for internet connectivity. It highlights the incident in 2016 when 10 African countries were disconnected for two days due to a single cable cut. The script explains the global network of over 420 submarine cables, their importance for high-speed data transmission, and the evolution of these cables from the first telegraph cable in 1842 to the cutting-edge Maria cable capable of 160 terabits per second. It also discusses the challenges in cable production, maintenance, and installation, emphasizing their crucial role in the internet's infrastructure for the foreseeable future.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The incident on March 30, 2016, where 10 African countries were offline for two days after a single cable was cut, highlights the world's dependency on undersea cable infrastructure for internet access.
• 🌍 The ACE cable, also known as the African Coast to Europe cable, is a critical link for many African countries, providing their main connection to the global internet.
• 🔌 Over 99% of international internet traffic is routed through a network of over 420 submarine cables, which underscores the importance of this infrastructure for global connectivity.
• 📈 The capacity of these cables has significantly increased over the years, with the average data transmission rate now at 35 terabits per second, up from nine terabits per second just five years prior.
• 🚀 Cutting-edge cables like the MAREA cable, funded by Microsoft and Facebook, can transmit data at rates of up to 160 terabits per second, showcasing the rapid advancement in cable technology.
• 🛠 The construction of submarine cables involves layers of materials for protection and functionality, including optical fibers, copper tubing for power, and various protective layers like polycarbonate and steel wires.
• ⚓ The process of laying cables is complex and requires special ships, extensive seafloor surveys, and careful deployment using sea plows for protection.
• 📚 The history of undersea cables dates back to 1842, with the first transatlantic telegraph cable laid in 1858, marking the beginning of a long evolution towards the modern internet infrastructure.
• 📈 The demand for internet capacity is expected to grow, with predictions suggesting half of the world's population will be internet users by 2020, driving the need for more and better undersea cables.
• 🏭 Companies like Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple, which account for nearly 70% of all internet traffic, are driving the construction of new cables to handle increased traffic demands.
• 🔮 Despite the potential of satellites to serve remote areas, undersea cables are expected to remain the backbone of the internet infrastructure for the foreseeable future.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on March 30, 2016, that affected internet access in Africa?

On March 30, 2016, 10 African countries were taken offline for two full days after a single cable was inadvertently cut by a fishing trawler. This incident highlighted the world's dependency on undersea cable infrastructure for internet access.

What is the primary function of undersea submarine cables in the context of the internet?

Undersea submarine cables provide international connections to servers abroad and connect continents and islands to the World Wide Web. They are the most critical piece of the internet infrastructure, despite the widespread use of wireless devices.

What is the name of the cable that was cut in the African internet incident of 2016?

The cable that was cut is known as the African Coast to Europe cable, or the ACE cable, which was commissioned in 2012.

How many countries were directly affected by the cutting of the ACE cable in 2016?

The cutting of the ACE cable affected internet access for nearly all of Western coastal Africa, including 17 countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and others up to South Africa.

How much of international internet traffic is routed through submarine cables?

Over 99% of all international internet traffic is routed through a network of over 420 submarine cables in service.

What is the approximate total length of the submarine cables in service around the world?

The submarine cables in service stretch over 700,000 miles around the world, which is equivalent to wrapping a single cable over 28 times around the Earth's equator.

What is the average data transmission rate of the submarine cables?

Submarine cables use optical fiber to provide average data transmission rates of 35 terabits per second, which is a significant increase from just over five years prior when the average was nine terabits per second.

What is special about the MAREA cable in terms of data transmission rates?

The MAREA cable, owned and funded by Microsoft and Facebook, is capable of data transmission rates of up to 160 terabits per second, making it one of the fastest cables in operation.

What are the common causes of faults in submarine cables?

Approximately 38% of faults occur because of fishing activities, 25% from anchorage issues, and only 6% of faults are derived from actual cable failures.

What is the average lifespan of a submarine cable?

Most submarine cables have an average lifespan of 25 years, although many are retired early due to becoming obsolete as bandwidth capacities become too slow.

What are the main components and their purposes in the construction of a submarine cable?

A submarine cable starts with an optical fiber for data transmission, coated with petroleum jelly for lubrication and stability. It includes a copper tubing for protection and power, and is followed by protective layers such as polycarbonate, an aluminum water barrier, steel wires, mylar tape, and a tar coating for ruggedness and protection.

How is the process of laying a submarine cable initiated?

The process begins with an extensive survey of the sea floor to map the cable route. A special trawlership carries and reels out the cable as it travels along the mapped route, with a sea plow towing behind to bury the cable for protection.

What was the historical significance of the first undersea cable laid in 1842?

The first undersea cable, laid in 1842, was a telegraph cable submerged in New York Harbor by Samuel Morse, the developer of Morse code. It marked the beginning of undersea communication technology.

What is the projected increase in internet users by 2020 according to historical trends?

Historical trends and predictions place half of the world's population as internet users by the year 2020.

What are the main drivers behind the construction of new undersea cables?

The main drivers behind the construction of new undersea cables are the increasing demand for internet capacity, connectivity, and low latency to handle the growing traffic demands from major internet companies.

Which companies are responsible for nearly 70 percent of all internet traffic and are investing in new undersea cables?

Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple are the companies responsible for nearly 70 percent of all internet traffic and are investing in new undersea cables to handle increased traffic demands.