Lesson 1 of 157% complete

What Are Submarine Cable Systems?

content路12 min

Submarine cable systems are underwater cables laid on the seabed of oceans, seas, and lakes to carry telecommunications signals and internet data between continents and countries. They form the backbone of the global internet, carrying over 95% of international internet traffic.

Unlike satellite links, submarine cables offer low latency, high bandwidth, and reliable connectivity that powers financial markets, cloud computing, and everyday communications worldwide.

Submarine cables snake across the ocean floor, connecting continents.
Submarine cables snake across the ocean floor, connecting continents.

Key Points

  • 1Over 400 submarine cable systems are currently active globally
  • 2They carry 95%+ of all international internet and voice traffic
  • 3Total length exceeds 1.3 million kilometres worldwide
  • 4Modern cables can transmit up to 250+ terabits per second