Undersea fibre optic cables could be the next geopolitical frontier | ABC News
ABC News In-depth・2 minutes read
Underwater fiber optic cables are vital for global communication, financial transactions, and national security, with superpowers engaging in a technology war over control. Geopolitical tensions, especially between the US and China, impact the submarine cable industry, affecting smaller countries like Taiwan caught in the middle.
Insights
- Underwater fiber optic cables are vital for global communication, financial transactions, and national security, with nearly 500 cables connecting countries, highlighting the industry's significance and the risks of relying on a single cable for communication.
- Geopolitical tensions, especially between the US and China, impact the submarine cable industry, affecting smaller countries caught in the middle like Taiwan, which faces military threats from China and is determined to remain independent despite concerns about potential conflict and underpreparedness.
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Recent questions
Why are underwater fiber optic cables important?
Underwater fiber optic cables are crucial for global communication, connecting billions of people to the internet for financial transactions, communication, and national security. These cables form a global network that enables the flow of data across countries, revolutionizing the way information is transmitted worldwide.
How do countries repair damaged underwater cables?
Countries repair damaged underwater cables using specialized cable repair ships that are equipped to fix faults caused by fishing nets and anchors. These ships play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the undersea cable network, ensuring uninterrupted communication and data flow between nations.
What are the concerns regarding the submarine cable industry?
The submarine cable industry serves both commercial and military purposes, raising concerns about espionage and security threats. Geopolitical tensions, especially between superpowers like the US and China, impact the industry, affecting smaller countries caught in the middle and highlighting the vulnerability of nations relying on a single cable for communication.
How does the quad alliance focus on undersea cables?
The quad alliance, consisting of the US, India, Japan, and Australia, focuses on undersea cables for secure telecommunications in the Indo-Pacific region. By investing in undersea cable infrastructure, the alliance aims to enhance communication capabilities, boost influence, and counter strategic moves by countries like China in the region.
Why are big tech companies investing in laying underwater cables?
Big tech companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon invest heavily in laying underwater cables to dominate global bandwidth usage and enhance their data-driven operations. By investing in undersea cable infrastructure, these companies aim to ensure reliable and high-speed data transmission, supporting their digital services and global connectivity.
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