This article was downloaded by: 10.3.98.104 On: 27 Sep 2021 Access details: subscription number Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG, UK Routledge Handbook of Ocean Resources and Management Hance D. Smith, Juan Luis Suárez de Vivero, Tundi S. Agardy Subsea Telecommunications Publication details https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9780203115398.ch23 Lionel Carter, Douglas R. Burnett Published online on: 26 Oct 2015 How to cite :- Lionel Carter, Douglas R. Burnett. 26 Oct 2015, Subsea Telecommunications from: Routledge Handbook of Ocean Resources and Management Routledge Accessed on: 27 Sep 2021 https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9780203115398.ch23 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR DOCUMENT Full terms and conditions of use: https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/legal-notices/terms This Document PDF may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproductions, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The publisher shall not be liable for an loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. 23 SUBSEA TELECOMMUNICATIONS Lionel Carter and Douglas R. Burnett Introduction Send an email overseas, download a video, search the internet or make an airline booking – these everyday actions will most likely involve subsea fibre-optic cables. Over 95 per cent of international communications and data transfer are via the global subsea cable network – a general collective term used here to encompass the many cable systems that are owned and operated by independent commercial entities. That dominance of cables reflects their ability to reliably and rapidly transmit large volumes of data and voice traffic in a secure and economical manner (Carter et al., 2009; Burnett et al., 2013). Although satellites carry <5 per cent of international traffic, they are still suited for providing worldwide coverage and television broadcasts as well as bringing communications to remote areas not linked to cables and to regions prone to natural disasters. Such is the reliance of the world’s economy, security and social framework on subsea cables that they are now regarded as critical infrastructure and hence are worthy of the best possible protection (e.g. Lacroix et al., 2002; ACMA, 2015). To emphasise this point, the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) provides a service that transmits financial data between 208 countries via subsea cables. In 2004, up to $US7.4 trillion were transferred or traded on a daily basis. Thus a failure of the subsea network, no matter how brief, invites large financial repercussions (Rauscher, 2010). Accordingly, cable protection has become a high priority especially at this time of a rapidly increasing human presence offshore. The last two decades have witnessed a marked expansion of shipping, offshore renewable energy generation, hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, industrial fishing and marine research, all of which are taking place against a backdrop of ocean change forced by a climate under the influence of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (e.g. Halpern et al., 2008; UNEP-WCMC, 2009; Smith et al., 2010; IPCC, 2013). Subsea cables Around 1.5 million kilometres of fibre-optic telecommunications cables have been laid on the ocean floor since 1988 when the first trans-oceanic system, TAT-8, was installed to link the USA, UK and France (Figure 23.1). For water depths exceeding ca. 2000 m – an approximate limit for bottom trawl fishing, which is a major cause of cable damage (e.g. Mole et al., 1997; 349 Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 09:56 27 Sep 2021; For: 9780203115398, chapter23, 10.4324/9780203115398.ch23 Lionel Carter and Douglas R. 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