Dev.SN

Undersea Cables Wiring the Earth

posted by janrinok on Wednesday March 05 2014, @12:12PM   
from the If-you-laid-all-the-cables-end-to-end dept.

dotdotdot writes:

"All of the fiber-optic cables buried in the sea bed are logged by Washington research firm Telegeography in an interactive Submarine Cable Map. The company's research director Alan Mauldin told CNN about the world's underwater networks."

From the interview:

for international communications, over 99% is delivered by undersea cables.

75% of faults are due to external aggression the majority through human activity such as fishing, and ship's anchors.

There are about 13 cables in service across the Atlantic, and less than 20% of potential capacity is what we call "lit" or in service right now.

cables are designed to last for a minimum 25 years.

Once you build a cable the cost of buying capacity incrementally over time is very affordable.

The last cable across the Pacific cost $300 million; one cable that entered service last year in Asia reaching many locations cost $400 million

• What to do What to do (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 05 2014, @12:14PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 05 2014, @12:14PM (#11379)

  I live down the road from one of the main cable landing stations. I've driven by the place a few times - not much to see - though I wonder if there's anything to be gained by it.

  The local ISPs don't seem to be particularly fast, so I wonder what sort of rationing goes on for connections to the main lines.

  Perhaps there's a business opportunity in this: hook up some servers next door to the landing station, ..., profit!

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• Re:What to do (Score: 4, Interesting) by Sir Garlon on Wednesday March 05 2014, @02:00PM

  by Sir Garlon (1264) on Wednesday March 05 2014, @02:00PM (#11421)

  The local ISPs don't seem to be particularly fast, so I wonder what sort of rationing goes on for connections to the main lines.

  I'd be more inclined to blame the last mile.

  --
  [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight who is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.

  Parent

• Re:What to do (Score: 1) by goody on Wednesday March 05 2014, @07:28PM

  by goody (2135) on Wednesday March 05 2014, @07:28PM (#11585)

  It's unlikely there's access to the fiber strands close to the landing station, and they certainly wouldn't be accessible by a tier two or three ISP. Most strands probably terminate at a major carrier hotel elsewhere and wavelengths are leased by tier one carriers for major bucks.

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