Who’s Destroying Undersea Internet Cables?

Summary

This script delves into the intricate world of undersea internet cables, exploring their depth, maintenance, and the challenges of repair. It explains how these cables, crucial for global connectivity, are laid thousands of meters deep in the ocean, withstand immense pressure, and are monitored for faults. The video also discusses the process of repairing damaged cables, from locating the break to the actual repair techniques, showcasing the complexity and importance of these communication arteries that span across continents.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The undersea internet cables connect continents and are a crucial part of our global communication network.
• 📡 There are approximately 493 undersea cables worldwide, each capable of carrying 4000 terabits of data per second.
• 🔎 The cables are laid at depths of more than 8000 meters, where the pressure is equivalent to having an African elephant standing on a human toenail.
• 🚧 The installation of these cables is a complex and expensive process, costing millions of dollars per kilometer.
• 💡 The cables are thinner than a human hair and use fiber optics to transmit data in the form of light pulses.
• 🔌 In case of damage, locating the exact spot of the break in the cable is a technical challenge that involves specialized equipment.
• 🔬 Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR) are used to send light pulses down the cable and measure the time and strength of the returning pulse to locate damage.
• 🛠 Repairing a damaged cable involves cutting out the damaged section and splicing in a new piece, which requires precision and caution.
• 🌪 Weather conditions, including hurricanes and typhoons, can significantly impact the installation and repair process of undersea cables.
• 🦈 Sharks and other marine life, as well as volcanic eruptions, can cause physical damage to the cables, but fishing activities are the most common cause of damage.
• 🔄 The process of repairing a cable is called 'spline' and may involve lifting a section of the cable and attaching additional wire to restore its function.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the undersea internet cables discussed in the script?

The primary function of the undersea internet cables is to facilitate the transmission of internet traffic across continents, connecting the world wirelessly.

How deep are the undersea internet cables typically laid?

The undersea internet cables are typically laid at depths of more than 8000 meters, where the pressure can be as high as 5300 kg per square inch.

What is the length of the longest undersea cable mentioned in the script?

The longest undersea cable mentioned in the script is the Marea cable, which stretches over 6600 kilometers.

How much does it cost to install just 1 kilometer of undersea cable?

The cost of installing 1 kilometer of undersea cable is more than 250,000 US dollars.

How many submarine cables are there globally, and what is their combined length?

There are 493 submarine cables globally, and their combined length is over 140,000 kilometers, which is enough to circle the entire solar system and still have some left over.

What is the capacity of data transmission for each submarine cable?

Each submarine cable can handle up to 40 terabits of data per second.

How many people can simultaneously stream a 4K movie using just one submarine cable?

With the capacity of 40 terabits per second, one submarine cable can support up to 80 million people streaming a 4K movie simultaneously.

What is the main challenge in repairing damaged undersea cables?

The main challenge in repairing undersea cables is locating the exact spot of the damage among thousands of kilometers of cable and then physically accessing and repairing it at such great depths.

What is the process called when light signals are converted back into electrical signals at the receiving end?

The process is called total internal reflection, where light signals are converted back into electrical signals by a photodiode or photodetector at the receiving end.

How are multiple signals transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable?

Multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable using a technique called wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), where different colors of light carry different data packets.

What is the method used to locate the exact location of a break in the cable?

The method used to locate the exact location of a break in the cable is called Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), which sends a light pulse from both ends and measures the time and strength of the reflected pulse to determine the location of the break.

What is the term used for the process of repairing the damaged part of an undersea cable?

The term used for the process of repairing the damaged part of an undersea cable is called 'splaicing,' where the damaged section is cut and a new piece is added to connect the two ends.