Introduction: The Internet Runs Beneath the Ocean

Many people assume the internet mainly works through satellites in space. In reality, most of the world’s internet traffic travels via fibre-optic cables placed on the ocean floor.

These cables stretch across oceans and connect continents. Almost every email, online meeting, video stream, and social media post depends on them.

In fact, nearly 95% of international data traffic moves through undersea cables. These cables form the real backbone of the global internet.

Recently, engineers began removing one of the early transoceanic fibreoptic cables from the ocean floor. Its removal marks the end of an important chapter in internet history.

What Are Undersea Internet Cables?

Underwater internet cables are fibre-optic communication lines laid on the seabed that transmit data between countries and continents.

They work by sending information as light signals through thin strands of glass. These signals travel extremely fast, allowing data to move across oceans in seconds.

These cables make it possible for people in different parts of the world to communicate instantly, access websites, and use online services without delay.

How Undersea Cables Power the Global Internet

Undersea cables carry the majority of the world’s internet traffic. They connect different regions through landing stations located along coastlines.

When someone sends a message, watches a video, or accesses a website hosted in another country, the data often travels through these underwater networks.

Major online services rely heavily on this infrastructure, including:

• Video streaming platforms

• Online banking systems

• Cloud computing services

• Social media platforms

• International business communication

Without these cables, global internet speeds and reliability would be significantly lower.

The First Transoceanic Fiber-Optic Cables

Early fibre-optic cables helped expand the internet across continents. Before their introduction, long-distance communication relied on satellites or copper cables with limited capacity.

Fibre-optic technology changed everything. By transmitting information as pulses of light, these cables could carry far more data over long distances.

The cable now being removed was part of this early generation that helped support the growth of the global internet, enabling faster communication and the expansion of online services that we rely on today.

The Myth About Sharks Biting Internet Cables

One of the most common stories about undersea cables involves sharks damaging them.

Images and videos online have shown sharks swimming close to cables, which led many people to believe sharks regularly attack internet infrastructure.

In reality, sharks are not a major threat to undersea cables.

Most cable damage happens because of:

• Ship anchors

• Fishing equipment

• Natural disasters such as earthquakes

• Underwater landslides

The shark story has simply become a popular myth over the years.

How Engineers Install Undersea Cables

Installing an underwater cable requires careful planning and special ships.

Engineers first study the ocean floor to determine the safest route. A cable-laying ship slowly releases the cable into the ocean while moving along the planned route.

In deep water, cables usually lie directly on the seabed. In shallow coastal areas, they are often buried under the ocean floor to protect them from ships and fishing equipment.

The installation process can take months and requires precise coordination.

Why This Historic Cable Is Being Removed

Like any technology, undersea cables eventually reach the end of their operational life.

Over time, newer cables are installed that can carry much larger amounts of data. Network operators are replacing outdated systems with more sophisticated ones as the world's internet usage keeps increasing.

Removing the cable is a complicated process. Engineers use specialised ships to pull sections of cable off the ocean floor and bring them back to the surface.

This act marks the retirement of a system that once played an important role in global communication.

The Global Network Beneath the Ocean

Today, the world has nearly 600 undersea cable systems connecting continents.

Together, they create a massive network beneath the oceans that keeps the global internet running.

These cables connect hundreds of coastal landing stations and allow data to travel between regions within seconds.

Despite being mostly invisible to the public, they support nearly every part of the digital economy, including online banking, streaming services, and global communications.

Challenges of Maintaining Undersea Cables

Maintaining cables on the ocean floor can be difficult because of the environment they operate in.

Common challenges include:

• Fishing trawlers accidentally catching cables

• Ship anchors dragging across them

• Underwater earthquakes

• Ocean currents and seabed movement

When a cable breaks, repair ships travel to the location, lift the cable to the surface, repair the damage, and return it to the seabed.

Even with these challenges, undersea cables remain one of the most reliable forms of global communication infrastructure.

The Future of Undersea Internet Infrastructure

Plans and installations of new undersea cable systems are constantly underway as global internet usage continues to grow.

Technology companies and telecommunications providers collaborate to fund many of these projects.

Companies design new cables to meet the growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence systems.

• cloud services

• artificial intelligence systems

• streaming platforms

• global business operations

Although older cables are being retired, the underwater network will continue to expand and support the next generation of digital services, ensuring that the demand for faster and more reliable internet connectivity is met in the future.

Conclusion

The removal of one of the early transoceanic fibreoptic cables marks the end of a significant moment in internet history.

These cables helped connect continents and allowed the global internet to grow into the system we rely on today.

Even as technology continues to evolve, undersea cables remain the foundation of global connectivity. Beneath the oceans, thousands of kilometres of fibre quietly carry the data that keeps the modern world connected.

FAQs

What are undersea internet cables?

Underwater internet cables are fibre-optic cables placed on the ocean floor that transmit data between countries and continents.

How much internet traffic travels through undersea cables?

Around 95% of international internet traffic moves through subsea fibre optic cables.

Do sharks damage internet cables?

Sharks rarely damage cables. Most cable damage happens due to fishing equipment, ship anchors, or natural events.

How many undersea cables exist worldwide?

There are nearly 600 active subsea cable systems connecting continents around the world.

Why are old undersea cables removed?

Older cables are removed when they reach the end of their lifespan or when newer cables with higher capacity replace them.

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