The Fascinating World of Undersea Cables: How the Internet Travels Across Oceans

✨The internet relies on a vast network of undersea cables to transport 99% of its traffic across oceans.

🌐There are currently 493 active or under-construction subsea internet cables around the world, spanning millions of kilometers.

🚀Dense wavelength division multiplexing allows data providers to transmit multiple wavelengths of light through a single cable, achieving astonishing data speeds.

🦈Undersea cables face various risks, including shark attacks, natural disasters, and human interference.

💰Companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are investing heavily in undersea cables to support their growing data needs.

How do undersea cables transmit data across oceans?

—Undersea cables use dense wavelength division multiplexing to transmit multiple wavelengths of light and achieve high data speeds.

What risks do undersea cables face?

—Undersea cables can be damaged by shark attacks, natural disasters, and human interference such as trawler nets or ship anchors.

Who owns undersea cables?

—Cables are owned by nations, telecom providers, tech firms, and consortia. Companies like Google and Facebook have significant ownership stakes.

How much do undersea cables cost?

—Transoceanic cables typically cost between three and four hundred million dollars to lay, but the precise cost varies.

What is the future of undersea cables?

—Undersea cables will continue to play a vital role in global internet infrastructure, even as technologies like Starlink emerge.

00:00Introduction to the importance of undersea cables in internet traffic.

01:30Explanation of dense wavelength division multiplexing for high-speed data transmission.

02:55Discussion of risks to undersea cables, such as shark attacks and natural disasters.

04:32Insight into the ownership of undersea cables, including major players like Google and Facebook.

05:22Exploration of the future of undersea cables and emerging technologies like Starlink.