The increasing reliance on submarine cables for global communications has led to mounting concerns about their vulnerability. Recently, the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to help navigate the threats these cables face.
Submarine cables are the lifelines of the internet, carrying over 99 percent of international data. They facilitate everything from routine emails to streaming services and are the backbone of governmental communications. Yet, these underwater networks are prone to breaches caused by natural disasters, unintentional accidents, and increasingly, acts of sabotage. High-profile incidents, such as the severing of cables beneath the Baltic Sea last November, have underscored the urgent need for enhanced protection.
According to Tomas Lamanauskas, deputy secretary-general of the ITU, this new body aims to strengthen the resilience of submarine cables, focusing on their construction, deployment, and maintenance. He emphasized, "This body will identify key issues to improve the resilience of submarine cables. It’s definitely not just a technical issue but something affecting our economies and societies, highlighting the vulnerability of this infrastructure to disruptions."
The problem isn’t merely theoretical; over 200 cable failures were reported globally last year, with around 80 percent attributed to natural phenomena or human error, such as fishing activities or boats dragging anchors. An incident damaging the cable serving Tonga after the 2022 tsunami cut off internet access for about a month, illustrating the disastrous impact these disruptions can have.
The Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience consists of 40 experts from diverse backgrounds, representing both public and private sectors, including submarine cable operators and government entities. They aim to promote best practices to reduce damage risks and improve repair timelines. The group plans to meet twice yearly, with their first summit set for February next year.
Despite its ambitious goals, questions remain about the body’s authority and operational capabilities. The current framework for protecting submarine cables is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which lacks clear provisions for prosecuting intentional acts of sabotage against cables positioned beyond territorial waters. Lamanauskas refrained from confirming ITU's jurisdiction over these scenarios, pointing out the limitations inherent within international law.
While the body will not directly engage in investigations, it is expected to create guidelines for faster response to disruptions by streamlining permit processes and improving collaboration among stakeholders. This collaboration is necessary since there are limited ships available for cable repairs, with schedules booked months or even years out, complicates the maintenance and recovery efforts.
The advent of this Advisory Body is not just timely, but necessary. It aims to galvanize international cooperation to protect this invisible infrastructure from the myriad threats it faces. While the advisory body will be working on establishing strategies to prevent future incidents, it still faces the challenge of engaging countries outside their legal jurisdictions, where cables often lie unprotected. Members of the Advisory Body stress the need for unified regulations and proactive measures to safeguard this important resource.
Organizations assessing the robustness of maritime policies and regulatory frameworks for submarine cables recognize the need for thoughtful legislation to facilitate accountability for those responsible for damage. Ensuring the protection of these cables will involve stakeholders from all parts of the globe, from small island nations whose economies depend heavily on stable internet connections, to major economies whose communications infrastructures rely on reliable cable systems.
With the increased frequency and severity of issues related to submarine cables, the establishment of the ITU’s new body for resilience could very well be the first step toward more stringent protections and practices. The international community's commitment will be tested as they endeavor to confront both natural and manmade threats to this burgeoning digital network. Protecting these cables is no longer just about ensuring uninterrupted connectivity; it’s about securing the very fabric of modern life.
