Undersea cables cut 27 times in four years: the fragile backbone of the internet
Submarine Cable Resilience
Submarine cables carry 99% of global data, yet they are alarmingly vulnerable. Between 2018 and 2022, the Matsu Islands' cables were severed 27 times, and the Baltic Sea has seen 11 disruptions since 2023. Fishing and anchoring cause 86% of faults, while deliberate attacks—like Britain's 1914 cable-cutting—remain a threat. This analysis details the risks, from shallow-water choke points to geopolitical tensions, and explains why repair is slow and costly.
If they are put out of service for any reason, our satellite systems simply could not replace them.