30 April 2025
As concerns over deliberate sabotage of subsea fibre optic cables escalate, a wave of innovative solutions is emerging to enhance the security of these vital conduits for global internet data.
Companies like Optics11, Viavi Solutions, and AP Sensing are leading initiatives to transform subsea cables into sophisticated sensor networks capable of detecting disturbances indicative of potential sabotage incidents. Utilizing the inherent properties of optical fibre cables — originally designed for data transmission via laser light pulses — scientists and engineers have found methods to repurpose them as real-time monitors for various underwater events.
These advanced systems can pinpoint activities above the cables, such as vessel movements, anchor drops, and even marine life interactions. By detecting changes in light polarization — an effect influenced by external disturbances — these sensor networks can provide critical information about the nature and location of incidents. Notably, the technology can estimate the size and trajectory of vessels passing overhead, offering valuable data that can be cross-referenced with satellite imagery and Automatic Identification System (AIS) records.
In Africa, where the internet infrastructure is increasingly reliant on subsea cables, breaks can have significant socio-economic consequences. Recent incidents, such as the breaks in the East African Submarine System (EASSy) and the South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable (SAT-3/WASC), have disrupted internet services, leading to increased latency and bandwidth shortages across multiple countries. Such disruptions can hinder economic activities, impact educational resources, and affect access to critical information, underlining the urgent need for robust monitoring systems.
Despite inherent limitations in range due to environmental noise, deploying signal repeaters and listening devices along the cables significantly enhances detection capabilities. While existing technology might only detect disturbances hundreds of meters away, innovative approaches could extend the range and accuracy of monitoring efforts. Notably, using retired cables or designing new cables as dedicated sensors could facilitate comprehensive marine traffic monitoring and incident detection.
With 150-200 faults occurring yearly due to both sabotage and accidental damage, leveraging technology to improve detection and prevention is essential in safeguarding these critical infrastructures, both globally and within the context of Africa's rapidly evolving digital landscape.
