The Asia-Pacific region, home to the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, is critically dependent on undersea cables, yet this vital infrastructure remains underappreciated and vulnerable. AdvertisementStretching across oceans and seabeds, these fibre-optic cables carry 95 per cent of global data, forming the backbone of our digital age. Despite the rise of low Earth orbit satellites, undersea cables remain the dominant conduits of online traffic – a reality unlikely to change soon, especially in Asia where internet demand is surging. Insecurity in the area and the status of the Yemeni government presented challenges in swiftly undertaking repairs to restore service. From their landing stations to any point along the entirety of their course, undersea cables have also become prime targets of data theft and espionage.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 24, 2024 10:01 UTC