Submarine cables to be better protected
Published: Friday, Nov 29th 2024, 13:20
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Every year, it is estimated that 150 to 200 submarine data cables are damaged worldwide. The UN telecoms organization ITU, together with industry representatives, has now set up an international advisory body to improve the protection of submarine cables.
On average, three repairs are carried out every week, reported ITU Deputy Secretary General Tomas Lamanauskas in Geneva. At least 80 percent of the damage was caused by accidents, for example with ship anchors. Other damage is caused by natural disasters, such as in Tonga in 2022, where a volcanic eruption damaged a cable and cut off communications to the Pacific island state for weeks.
Lamanauskas did not want to comment on the latest case of possible sabotage on two submarine cables in the Baltic Sea. The ITU and the new committee are not tasked with investigating the causes of damage.
500 submarine cables worldwide
According to him, there are around 500 submarine cables worldwide, which generally function for 25 years. These cables carry 99 percent of international data.
Among other things, the new committee will advise countries on how to protect cables, what needs to be taken into account for efficient licensing and how to ensure that the issue of submarine cables is considered in all marine discussions.
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