tech
The Whole World Could Lose Internet: The Secret War at the Bottom of the Ocean is Intensifying
As much as 99 percent of all global internet traffic passes through fiber optic cables lying on the seabed. This network is over 1.2 million kilometers long and represents today's most important technology. Due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the demand for new connections has exploded, with 119 new lines planned to be laid this year alone.
TL;DR
- 99% of global internet traffic uses undersea fiber optic cables, spanning over 1.2 million kilometers.
- The demand for new connections is booming due to AI development, with 119 new lines planned this year.
- NATO and startups are employing new methods to monitor and protect these vital cables.
- Threats include traditional damage from anchors and earthquakes, as well as new sabotage technologies like diamond-tipped cutting devices.
- Countries like Singapore are reinforcing their connections to ensure internet continuity.
- The disruption of these cables could cripple the global digital economy and modern society.