If the internet is primarily dependent on cables that run through oceans connecting different countries and continents. During a war, anyone can cut off a country’s access to the internet. Are there any backup or mitigant in place to avoid this? What happens if you cut the cable?

Question

If the internet is primarily dependent on cables that run through oceans connecting different countries and continents. During a war, anyone can cut off a country’s access to the internet. Are there any backup or mitigant in place to avoid this? What happens if you cut the cable?

In: Technology

Answer 1

There are a lot of good replies here. I would also like to point out that the cables are very hard to locate and very hard to access.

Once the cable is shored, it is buried 2m under the surface. Thats usually to about 70-100′ of water. Afyer that they are laid on thw surface but eventually get buried. Once laid they are only mapped after and that always changes due to a few factors.

If there is a shallow water break we just run a new shore in and leave the old cable where it lays. Just way to much hassle to find and deal with.

Omce in deep water you need very specialized vessels, location equipment and service equipment to deal with it. Not to mention not people people in the world do this kind of work.

I guess you might be able to luck out with an ROV but odds are not great. Once done most major countries have multiple redundancies and can get it repaired pretty quick.