Today, approximately 486 submarine cables enable 99 percent of transoceanic communications. They are the crucial arteries that allow America to both shape and lead our burgeoning digital economy through foundational communication and information exchange. It is these cables resting on our seabed floor that allow us to carry information at the speed of light around the world. To date, more than 900,000 miles of submarine cable have been laid, with more on the way.
American companies are projected to spend over $13 billion on cable construction alone between 2025 and 2027, largely supported by American hyperscalers and telecommunications companies. While US-led projects are the global norm, Chinese companies, particularly Huawei Marine Unit and S.B. Submarine Systems, are ramping up production at an alarming speed. Infrastructure built and managed by Chinese firms creates inherent security risks. Having US and Western-led cable consortia is critical to protecting vulnerable data flows, and we must be prepared to safeguard against damage and attack.
Cable Disruptions: Accidents and Adversaries
Most often, cable damage is caused by an anchor dragging across the ocean floor and severing a cable. While most incidents are fishing trawlers accidentally severing a cable, disruptions by ships connected to foreign adversaries in locations of economic and strategic importance are a growing concern.
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