The “Wet Net” World of Underwater Fiber Optic Cables
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You panic when even a few drops of water fall on your laptop. Everyone knows that water and electronics don’t “mix.” That’s why it seems so ironic that most of the Internet’s “hard” infrastructure lies underwater on the ocean floor.
Virtually all global data travels through millions of miles of submarine fiber optic cables beneath the ocean’s surface. More than 350 subsea cable lines stretch from the U.S. West Coast to the East Coast, with many more being deployed to connect countries around the world.
Installing submarine fiber optic cables deep on the ocean floor is time consuming and expensive. While special ships deploy the cable, ocean divers repair and maintain the network. And even with thick, protective jackets, there are many ways to damage a cable. Some destructive forces include ship anchors, commercial fishing equipment, earthquakes, hurricanes and even sinister interference. (more…)