International Advisory Body Formed to Strengthen the Resilience of Submarine Telecom Cables
Submarine telecommunication cables serve as the backbone of global communication, carrying approximately 99 percent of international internet traffic. They support critical services such as commerce, finance, government operations, digital health, and education. However, these cables are highly vulnerable, with an estimated 150 to 200 faults occurring worldwide every year. Given their significance, protecting and strengthening these cables is a global priority that demands coordinated international action.
Recognizing this urgent need, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have come together to establish the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the resilience of submarine cables and ensuring uninterrupted global communication.
Role and Global Representation of the Advisory Body
The newly formed International Advisory Body will focus on:
- Promoting best practices across governments and industries to improve cable resilience.
- Reducing risks of damage from environmental hazards, aging infrastructure, and geopolitical challenges.
- Ensuring swift repair and deployment of submarine cables in case of disruptions.
- Providing strategic guidance on increasing traffic management and infrastructure longevity.
The advisory body consists of 40 members from across the world, including ministers, heads of regulatory authorities, and senior experts in telecommunications. This global representation ensures that the interests of small island nations, developing economies, and large global markets are equally addressed. The diverse expertise within the group will play a crucial role in protecting and strengthening submarine cable infrastructure for future generations.
Leadership and Meeting Schedule
The advisory body will be co-chaired by H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of Nigeria, and Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of Portugal’s National Communications Authority (ANACOM).
The body is expected to meet at least twice a year to discuss global policies, technological advancements, and best practices for improving the resilience of submarine cables. The inaugural virtual meeting is scheduled for 12 December 2024, followed by an in-person Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in February 2025.
India’s Role in Submarine Cable Infrastructure
India plays a crucial role in the global submarine cable network. The country has 17 international subsea cables across 14 landing stations located in Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Tuticorin, and Trivandrum. As of the end of 2022, these cables had a total lit capacity of 138.606 Tbps and an activated capacity of 111.111 Tbps, making India a key contributor to global connectivity.
Indian telecom operators involved in submarine cable infrastructure include:
- Tata Communications – Owns five cable landing stations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Cochin.
- Global Cloud eXchange (formerly Reliance Globalcom) – Operates stations in Mumbai and Trivandrum.
- Reliance Jio – Owns cable landing stations in Chennai and Mumbai, with new projects underway.
- Bharti Airtel – Operates stations in Chennai and Mumbai and is responsible for landing major cables such as 2Africa/EMIC-1 and SEA-ME WE 6.
- Sify Technologies and BSNL – Manage various landing stations across India.
- Vodafone and IOX – Planning to construct a new cable landing station in Puducherry.
About the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC)
Founded in 1958, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is a global organization that provides a forum for governments and commercial entities involved in submarine cable operations. Its primary mission is to enhance the security and resilience of undersea cables by facilitating the exchange of technical, legal, and environmental information among stakeholders.
Background on Submarine Cable Resilience
Submarine cables form the foundation of modern global communications, linking continents and enabling seamless data exchange. As of 2024, there are over 500 active and planned submarine cable systems worldwide, designed to transmit vast amounts of data over long distances with minimal signal loss.
These cables consist of multiple protective layers to shield against deep-sea pressure, corrosion, and marine activity. The core fiber-optic strands are optimized for high-speed data transmission, supporting critical applications such as real-time financial trading, video conferencing, and live-streaming services.
However, building a submarine cable is a complex and time-consuming process. It typically takes over two years from design to deployment, requiring substantial investment, regulatory approvals, and environmental impact assessments. Once deployed, these cables face increasing challenges from:
- Environmental hazards, such as earthquakes, deep-sea currents, and climate change effects.
- Aging infrastructure, leading to frequent repairs and capacity upgrades.
- Complex regulatory frameworks, which vary across international jurisdictions.
In 2023 alone, over 200 submarine cable repairs were reported globally, underscoring the critical need for enhanced resilience measures. Disruptions to these networks can result in severe consequences, including:
- Economic instability due to disruptions in international financial transactions.
- Security threats affecting military and government communication systems.
- Internet access disruptions impacting millions of users worldwide.
ITU’s Contribution to Global Resilience
As the United Nations agency for digital technologies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plays a leading role in developing global standards and policies for submarine cable resilience. ITU’s efforts focus on:
- Establishing best practices for securing and maintaining submarine cable infrastructure.
- Promoting collaborative frameworks for rapid response and damage mitigation.
- Encouraging the adoption of sustainable and resilient cable deployment practices.
Through the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, ITU aims to ensure that governments and industries worldwide have access to the necessary knowledge, resources, and strategies to safeguard these crucial communication networks.
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Reference: PIB
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Reference: PIB
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