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The History and Future of Subsea Cables: Connecting the World Beneath the Waves

Subsea cables are the silent workhorses of modern communication, carrying nearly 99% of all international data and enabling the seamless digital experiences we often take for granted. These underwater marvels form the backbone of global connectivity, linking continents and powering industries, governments, and individuals alike.

The story of subsea cables is one of technological triumph, shifting drivers of investment, and ever-evolving challenges. At Connectbase, we’re proud to collaborate with industry leaders shaping this critical infrastructure. Let’s explore their history, current state, and future, highlighting key subsea cable systems and the providers behind them.

A Journey Through Time: From Telegraph to Terabytes

The history of subsea cables began in 1858 with the groundbreaking deployment of the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Newfoundland and Ireland. While the project initially faced setbacks, it revolutionized communication by reducing transcontinental message delivery times from weeks to mere minutes.

By the 20th century, subsea cables evolved to support telephone calls and later embraced fiber-optic technology in the 1980s. Fiber optics transformed global communication, offering unprecedented data speeds and reliability. Today, these cables enable terabits of data transfer every second, serving as the foundation of the internet economy.

The Current State of Subsea Cables

Modern subsea cables span over 1.4 million kilometers, connecting nearly every corner of the globe. Investments are strategically focused on regions where bandwidth demand is exploding, redundancy is critical, and connectivity gaps remain.

• Africa and the Middle East: Projects like 2Africa, supported by Meta, China Mobile, and others, aim to connect underserved regions, bridging digital divides and fostering economic development.
• Asia-Pacific: Cables like Jupiter link Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S., supporting the region’s booming digital economies.
• Europe and the Americas: Advanced systems like Google’s Equiano and Seaborn Networks’ Seabras-1 bolster transatlantic connectivity for commerce and cloud services.

These cables ensure the scalability and resilience needed for applications like cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and streaming media, meeting the needs of a rapidly digitizing world.

From Telco to Cloud: The New Drivers of Investment

In the past, telecommunications companies dominated subsea cable investments. However, today’s ecosystem is increasingly driven by hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. This shift reflects the unique demands of cloud providers:

• Dedicated Bandwidth: Cloud companies build their own subsea infrastructure to control data flows and reduce costs.
• Low Latency: Owning cables ensures faster data transfer for seamless user experiences.
• Resilience: Investing in redundant systems protects against outages and enhances service reliability.

For instance, Google’s Equiano Cable connects Europe to Africa, while Amazon’s Jupiter Cable supports Asia-Pacific operations. These projects exemplify how hyperscalers are reshaping the subsea landscape to support their global networks.

Challenges of Building Subsea Cables

Constructing subsea cables is no small feat, requiring meticulous planning, cutting-edge technology, and significant financial investment. Key challenges include:

• Harsh Environments: Cables must withstand deep-sea pressures, seismic activity, and potential damage from fishing or shipping activities.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating international waters and securing permits in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) complicate the process.
• High Costs: A single cable system can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to design, deploy, and maintain.

Governments play an essential role in enabling these projects through funding, regulatory oversight, and cybersecurity standards. Their involvement ensures these cables benefit the broader economy and society.

Balancing Local Peering and Subsea Connectivity

While subsea cables are vital for international data transfer, local peering can reduce reliance on these systems. Peering allows networks to exchange traffic locally, keeping data within regional hubs to:

• Reduce latency, improving user experiences.
• Lower costs by avoiding long-haul data transport.
• Increase resilience by relying on regional infrastructure.

However, when traffic must cross oceans, subsea cables are indispensable. They support global commerce, cloud services, and international collaboration, ensuring our world remains connected.

Why Subsea Cables Matter

Subsea cables underpin every aspect of modern life. They:

• Power the Global Economy: Supporting $10 trillion in daily financial transactions.
• Enable Seamless Communication: Connecting people, businesses, and governments worldwide.
• Drive Innovation: Facilitating access to global markets and resources for startups and enterprises alike.

Providers Shaping Subsea Connectivity

The subsea cable ecosystem owes its success to the ingenuity and dedication of its providers. At Connectbase, we work with industry leaders who drive innovation and ensure the reliability of global networks:

• C&W Networks: Operator of one of the largest subsea systems in the Caribbean and Americas, connecting over 40 countries.
• Seaborn Networks: Owner of the Seabras-1 cable, linking Brazil and the U.S. for critical trade and data routes.
• SubCom: A leader in subsea cable manufacturing and deployment, contributing to systems like TAT-14 and Havfrue.
• PCCW Global: A key player in subsea connectivity across Asia, Africa, and beyond.
• Aqua Comms: Co-owner of Havfrue/AEC-2, connecting the U.S., Ireland, and Denmark.
• Meta (Facebook): Backer of 2Africa, connecting 33 countries across three continents.
• Google: Operator of Equiano and Dunant, advancing low-latency global connectivity.
• Telxius: Operator of Marea, a high-capacity cable linking the U.S. and Spain.
• Southern Cross Cable Network: Responsible for Southern Cross NEXT, connecting Oceania to the U.S.
• NTT Communications: Contributor to Asia Submarine Cable Express (ASE) for ultra-low-latency Asian connectivity.
• Orange: Key operator of ACE (Africa Coast to Europe).
• Hawaiki Submarine Cable: Owner of the Hawaiki Cable, connecting Oceania and the U.S.

The Future of Subsea Cables

Looking ahead, subsea cables will play an even greater role in global connectivity, with a focus on sustainability, higher capacity, and expanded reach to underserved regions. Providers are working on greener technologies and redundant systems to ensure resilient, scalable infrastructure.

Explore the Connectbase Provider Directory

At Connectbase, we’re proud to enable collaboration within the subsea cable ecosystem, connecting buyers, sellers, and partners through our Provider Directory. Together, we’re building a future where global connectivity is faster, more reliable, and more inclusive—both above ground and beneath the waves.