Submarine Cables Still Dominate Transoceanic Data Transmission

Despite new modes of data transmission, submarine cables have remarkable staying power. The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858, and now, submarine cables carry over 99% of data traffic that crosses oceans.

These undersea fiber optic cables are the backbone of the global internet. And to boost connectivity and cut bandwidth costs, tech companies unspooled and laid their own last decade.

• As I wrote in April, Big Tech thinks it can control its data transmission destiny by doing the wiring itself instead of relying on the telcos that historically laid cables.

If you want the deets, this cable map from TeleGeography provides a comprehensive view of each cable's owner and endpoints.

TeleGeography

Plot twist: As with any technology, these cables have vulnerabilities. Subsea cables can be cut or tapped to eavesdrop on communications.

But the bottom line? They're not going anywhere and won't be replaced by satellites anytime soon.