(Commonwealth)_Beneath the ocean floor lies a network of submarine cables that serve as the backbone of global data transfer, connecting continents and enabling the seamless flow of information. These fiber-optic cables, encased in a protective layer about as thick as a garden hose, transmit everything, from emails to entertainment and even classified intelligence. Despite their critical role, they remain exposed to various threats, from accidental damage to deliberate sabotage.
15 submarine cables connect Australia, with the majority arriving in Sydney and Perth. These cables stretch thousands of kilometers beneath the ocean, reaching depths of up to 8 kilometers before resurfacing at landing stations in destinations like Singapore, Oman, and Hawaii. However, their vulnerability matches their criticality. The Baltic Sea recently witnessed suspected sabotage of two cables—one between Finland and Germany and another connecting Sweden and Lithuania—highlighting the geopolitical risks. The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has since deemed the Baltic Sea a “high-risk” area for such incidents.
Despite advancements in satellite technology, submarine cables remain the primary medium for internet connectivity, accounting for 99% of Australia’s data transmission. Capable of carrying up to 300 terabits of data per second, they surpass satellites in speed, capacity, and cost-efficiency. Sam Bashfield, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Australia India Institute, emphasizes that while satellite systems like Elon Musk’s Starlink garner attention, the demand for high-capacity data transfer necessitates reliance on these undersea networks.
Without these cables, Australia would face significant disruptions across essential services, affecting political, military, and economic activities. Digital technology contributes an estimated $167 billion to the nation’s economy annually, underscoring the cables’ indispensability. Cynthia Mehboob, a PhD candidate at the Australian National University specializing in the geopolitics of submarine cables, highlights their strategic importance, particularly for defense and intelligence-sharing frameworks like the Five Eyes alliance. Any disruption could have profound geopolitical repercussions.
While marine life occasionally damages cables—sharks biting them once prompted Google to add Kevlar-like reinforcement—such incidents are rare, accounting for only 0.1% of damage. Fishing activities, dredging, and ship anchors more frequently compromise cables. Natural disasters, including underwater landslides and volcanic eruptions, also pose risks. However, the intentional cutting of cables during conflicts represents a growing concern, particularly at “choke points” where cables converge at landing stations, making them potential targets for espionage or sabotage.
Catastrophic scenarios, like the simultaneous severing of all cables, are unlikely, but the consequences could be devastating. Repairs are complex and time-consuming, with only a limited number of specialized vessels available globally. For instance, in March 2022, the accidental severing of two of the three cables connecting Tasmania to mainland Australia caused widespread disruption. Similarly, the damage to Tonga’s sole cable resulted in weeks-long internet outages.
In response to these vulnerabilities, Australia is enhancing its digital resilience. Google Cloud’s Australia Connect initiative includes new cable routes linking the country to Christmas Island and Fiji, extending to Singapore and the United States. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced an $18 million investment in a cable connectivity and resilience center to bolster regional engagement, aligning with Quad efforts to counter China’s influence in the Pacific.
However, the ownership of these cables by private telecommunications firms and technology giants such as Amazon, Meta, and Google complicates government oversight. Moreover, while cable protection zones exist, their designation inadvertently signals their locations to potential adversaries. Identifying intentional sabotage remains challenging, as Mehboob notes, making attribution in such cases a murky affair.
As Australia’s dependence on undersea cables grows, safeguarding this infrastructure is imperative. These conduits of connectivity are not only vital for modern life but also central to the nation’s economic and geopolitical stability. Robust measures to secure and diversify these networks are essential to mitigating risks in an increasingly interconnected world.
