With almost 97% of worldwide internet traffic being entirely dependable on them, submarine cable systems have long served as the foundation of the world’s communication infrastructure, linking people and companies all over the world. New challenges, demands and innovations have fuelled the desire for more efficient and scalable undersea cable networks, which is changing how the industry seeks to meet consumer needs.

The rising demand for bandwidth is one of the greatest challenges, and subsequent opportunities, facing the subsea cable sector. The volume of data transferred via the world’s underwater cables is only expanding with the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and other data-intensive applications. Undersea cable companies are investing in new and better cable systems that can supply more bandwidth and faster speeds to keep up with this expanding demand. SUBCO, for example, invests in direct cable routes – like that of the Oman-Australia Cable (OAC) and the recently announced Salalah Gateway – to ensure low latency, high performing connectivity.

The increased usage of optical technology is also a significant development in the undersea cable market. Optical fibres have been used in submarine cables for many years, but advances in optical modulation and multiplexing techniques are allowing more data to be sent across these fibres than ever before. These developments enable underwater cable operators like SUBCO to provide greater capacity and quicker transmission rates, which is critical for satisfying consumers’ expectations for connectivity and network performance.

Another trend in the undersea cable sector is the creation of new landing places. In recent years, there has been a movement to construct additional landing sites in underserved areas such as isolated islands, coastal cities and rural areas. This will allow these places to be linked to the global communication network, giving more people access to high-speed internet services around the world.

Furthermore, underwater cable providers and operators are facing new cybersecurity threats that must be managed and actively prevented. With a rising volume of sensitive data being transferred through these cables, the potential of cyberattacks in the form of cable tapping – or data theft – is increasing. To combat this danger, underwater cable operators are collaborating with cybersecurity specialists to create new security measures and increase network resiliency.

Ultimately, the future of underwater cable networks seems bright, with several interesting improvements and possibilities on the horizon. Undersea cable operators are investing in new and enhanced cable networks, optical technology, and cybersecurity measures to fulfil rising bandwidth demand. With these improvements, the undersea cable sector will continue to play an important role in linking people and organisations worldwide and fuelling the digital economy.