The Role of Submarine Cables in the Pacific to Enhance Connectivity
Submarine cables form the backbone of international internet traffic. Companies such as Google
have engineered these subsea cables to consist of multiple layers to protect the optical fibers and amplifiers that boost data signals across vast distances. The attention to detail in their development has enabled reliable global telecommunications to digitally connect landmasses at incredible speeds, making them the preferred method of international data transmission as opposed to satellites.
Submarine cables in the Pacific region have significantly increased connectivity. One example is a high-performance submarine cable, SJC2, built to connect nine major Asian countries across 10,500 kilometers thanks to the consortium of Asia-Pacific network operators and the NEC Corporation. This powerful submarine cable features eight fiber pairs of high-capacity optical fiber of 144 Terabits per second. That is equivalent to streaming a whopping 5.76 million ultra-high-definition videos per second! This cable was also engineered with a flexible design to meet future changes in capacity demands. The development and utilization of these submarine cables in the Pacific have been key in supporting high-speed internet and facilitating economic growth in the region.
Google’s Pacific Connect Initiative Expands
Given the reliability and robustness of submarine cables like SJC2, it is the optimal time to expand these advancements to international connectivity. As such, the Pacific region is seeing many initiatives aimed at expanding internet infrastructure between the US, Asia, and the islands in between. Understanding the value of international data transfer, Google is taking the lead. Google’s Pacific Connect Initiative is their commitment to expanding connectivity in the Pacific given the increased demand for internet services. In part, they plan on investing $1 billion in digital connectivity to Japan and delivering two new cables, Proa and Taihei.
The Proa subsea cable will connect Japan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam, whereas Taihei will connect Japan to Hawaii. A third cable already in existence, Tabua, will also be extended from Hawaii to connect from the continental US to Fiji and Australia, and a new interlink cable will be established to connect Hawaii, CNMI, and Guam. Together, these advancements are expanding the reach of reliable and resilient internet services across the Pacific, for some islands this being the first time.
The attention given to developing and expanding these submarine cables in the Pacific through this initiative aims to ensure all Pacific entities have access to modern digital networks while supporting the economic growth of digital economies within the region.
Combatting Challenges for Submarine Cables in the Pacific
The Pacific Ocean falls victim to natural disasters, environmental shifts, and geopolitical tensions. This causes the deployment of these submarine cables to be costly and logistically complex.
This is where ingenuity in tech kicks in. As part of their initiative, Google is developing these cables with durability in mind to better withstand harsh conditions. Submarine cables and landings datasets also combat these challenges as they equip companies to pinpoint access control points and develop contingency plans for emergency preparedness. With so much distance to cover, this information paired with the strong engineering of the cables themselves is vital in guaranteeing services remain uninterrupted.
Submarine Cables in the Pacific Lead to New Era for Global Connectivity
As the demand for internet connectivity continues to rise, the expansion and enhancement of submarine cables in the Pacific, as well as across other networks is a priority. With advancements in development and implementation, digital markets can expand faster and farther, with stakeholders being empowered to better navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by this essential infrastructure. Driving economic growth and digital inclusion, they truly are the lifelines of global connectivity.
As aforementioned, analysis of submarine cables and landings clear and concise datasets proves effective in providing companies the ability to make intelligent, location-based business decisions. Reach to GeoTel’s experts for a personalized demo on how we can benefit your organization today!
