30 Years of Submarine Cables: The History of Internet Beneath the Sea

In a fascinating 30-year journey, a new video showcases the evolution of submarine cables that have woven the infrastructure of the Internet. Since 1999, these invisible threads have been fundamental to international data traffic, with an astonishing 99% of information circulating beneath the oceans. This phenomenon, which seems to contradict the idea of a wireless Internet, is actually the backbone of our global connectivity.

Why it Matters

The importance of submarine cables lies in the fact that they are the primary medium through which information is transmitted between continents. Without them, the experience of browsing the web, sending emails, or making video calls would be nearly impossible. This deployment of cables has not only enabled greater speed and capacity but has also facilitated the expansion of Internet access in remote areas.

What We Know

According to United Nations data, the network of submarine cables has grown exponentially, from just a few in the 2000s to 694 cables today, according to TeleGeography's map. This growth is a testament to the increasing demand for connectivity and the evolution of technology. Additionally, there is an interactive map that allows users to explore the location of these cables and future projects.

What Is Still Unclear

Despite the abundance of information about the current infrastructure, specific plans for the future expansion of these cables have not yet been detailed. The tech community anticipates that more projects will be developed to meet the growing demand for data, but details about implementation and costs remain uncertain.