Gas and data, the importance of submarine networks

Submarine network cables are built and placed on the seabed to transport energy or data (telecommunications). This last type of transport is experiencing very important development, mainly due to the increase in users and Internet traffic, but also due to the low cost of submarine cables. However, there are also counter aspects due to high repair costs, human activities, natural disasters and now also “terrorist” attacks. There are currently more than 500 submarine cables in operation that allow the exchange of 99% of data worldwide. The ownership of submarine cables belongs almost entirely to the United States, which has more than half of them, but in recent times there has been a clash with China, which wants to gain global leadership. Europe also wants to have a front row seat above all to not have to depend on other states and is therefore adopting various strategies to dominate the cable market. Furthermore, Europe is identifying safety measures for the construction, installation and maintenance of cables that are much more stringent and effective than those adopted by other states. Private individuals are also getting involved. Companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are significantly increasing investments in this economy. All this makes me understand that acts of sabotage against submarine cables are real wars for national security. In fact, how will we be able to carry out daily operations if the flow of internet data is interrupted? We should also ask ourselves the same question for the cables that transport gas. The culprits of the attack on the North Stream gas pipeline have not yet been identified. Here it becomes increasingly important to try to guarantee the security of underwater networks and infrastructures and the threat from the Houthis has only refreshed our memories. A lot of tensions are being created between those who already have the cables and those who would like to have them and everything can be explained by the fact that controlling the internet gives a lot of power, just look at the role of hackers in wars and elections. In short, we are witnessing another form of war, less violent but equally destructive, and it is necessary to intervene quickly, if we do not want to add another competition in a context strongly compromised by all the acts of violence to which we are subjected every day. Gabriele Abate, 3B