Experts tackle rising threats to submarine cable networks

Joy Agwunobi

The number of internet users worldwide has grown over the years globally over the past two decades, rising from 1 billion in 2005 to over 5.5 billion in 2024. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the global digital economy is expanding at a faster pace than most local Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) and is projected to reach $16.5 trillion by 2028.

However, the continued disruption of submarine telecommunication cables poses a significant threat to this rapid growth, as these undersea networks serve as the backbone of global connectivity.

The increasing frequency of submarine cable damage has raised concerns about its far-reaching economic and social consequences. Every time a major cable cut occurs, it disrupts essential services, including banking transactions, communication networks, and critical online infrastructure. The situation was evident in March 2024 when a submarine cable cut near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, severely impacted internet services in Nigeria and several other West African nations, causing widespread operational setbacks for businesses and individuals.

Recognising the urgency of addressing this challenge, Nigeria hosted the first-ever International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit, a global forum aimed at fortifying undersea cable networks and ensuring their swift repair and maintenance.

The summit brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government representatives, industry experts, and global policymakers, to devise strategies for strengthening the resilience of submarine cable networks. The discussions emphasised the importance of fostering international collaboration, enhancing rapid response mechanisms, and establishing policies that ensure the seamless operation of digital infrastructures.

One of the key concerns raised during the summit was the need to address the extended timelines associated with repairing cable damage. To tackle this issue, participants proposed several initiatives aimed at strengthening infrastructure resilience.

These included enhancing cable protection through risk mitigation strategies, promoting the establishment of diverse routes and landings to improve system continuity, and ensuring faster deployment and repair efforts to drastically reduce repair costs, which can reach up to $2 million per incident. Such measures would enable quicker restoration of services, thereby minimising the potential economic disruptions caused by prolonged outages.

Speaking at the summit,Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the secretary general of ITU underscored the need for a united global effort to combat the risks posed by submarine cable disruptions. She emphasised that submarine cables account for 95 per cent  of global digital infrastructure, making their security a paramount concern.

“The past two decades have witnessed an unparalleled digital transformation, bringing new socio-economic opportunities alongside significant challenges,” she noted. “Since the 2005 World Summit, the number of internet users has skyrocketed from 1 billion to 5.5 billion, and the digital economy has expanded at an unprecedented rate.”

She further highlighted the projections that more than two-thirds of new economic value creation in the next decade would stem from digitally enabled businesses. Given this reality, safeguarding submarine cables is not merely a technical necessity but an economic imperative.

Despite their critical role in sustaining the global economy, submarine cables are vulnerable to various threats, including natural disasters, human activities such as fishing and anchoring, and cyberattacks. Bogdan-Martin revealed that approximately 200 submarine cable disruptions occur annually, posing significant operational and financial risks. The delays associated with repairs often exacerbate the situation, affecting businesses and economies dependent on seamless internet connectivity.

“Our economies and digital innovations increasingly rely on robust infrastructure like submarine cables. This global undersea network symbolises the ingenuity, investment, and international cooperation needed to keep the world connected,” she added.

She noted that the global economy always felt the impact of submarine cable cuts and disruptions, stressing that “submarine cables are put in place by an interplay of technology, business, and policy that have to be considered holistically.”

Sandra Maximiano,the co-chair of the advisory board for ITU, highlighted the progress made in the industry while emphasising the need for continued vigilance.

“It is no coincidence that we are convening in Abuja, considering the multiple cable disruptions that occurred in March last year, severely impacting West African nations, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal,” Maximiano stated.

She noted that the incident underscored the crucial role of subsea cable networks in the region, with some reports estimating that over 70 million users experienced disruptions. According to her, while Nigeria benefits from multiple submarine cable systems such as Maniwari, the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) cable, and the Etihanu to Africa connection, many other West African nations rely on a single subsea cable for connectivity.

On his part, Bosun Tijani, minister of communication, innovation and digital economy, stressed   the increasing reliance on digital connectivity, the need to secure and expand submarine cable infrastructure has become more critical than ever. He noted that the challenge extends beyond technical and industry-specific concerns, as it has far-reaching implications for finance, trade, education, healthcare, and governance.

“This is not just a challenge for the telecommunications sector; it is a global issue that affects multiple aspects of modern society,” Tijani stated. “We are taking decisive steps to classify and protect critical national infrastructure, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening digital resilience across all sectors.”

He further noted that the Nigerian government is prioritising the expansion of broadband penetration and leveraging digital infrastructure to support economic growth.

“As a government, we remain deeply committed to improving digital connectivity and ensuring that submarine cable networks serve as a foundation for economic transformation,” he added.

Tijani emphasised that the discussions and outcomes from the summit would not only influence national policies and investment strategies but also foster international collaboration to enhance the long-term stability of subsea communication networks.