From telegrams to the first wasaps, going through phone calls, emails and shopping online .Today, many of our actions connect points from different parts of the planet in a matter of seconds.Except for the speed, its way of doing it does not differ much from that of 100 years ago.It is based, as it did then, on a network of submarine cables that cross our seas and oceans.
RelatedAt the beginning of 2018 and according to Telegeography calculations, there were 448 submarine cables in service around the world.This is a constantly moving figure, since new cables come into operation Often in the same way, others in poor condition or too old are removed from service.It is estimated that the total of these cables in operation would form more than a million kilometers in length.More or less the distance between the Earth and the Moon, three times.
Cables that are used for (almost) everything
The first submarine cables were intended for telegraph services.Since then, they have seen the technology and the way of communicating around the planet change.Today, they are fiber optic cables for telecommunications services or, to a lesser extent, to the transport of electric energy.
We use them for almost everything: make international calls, send messages or check information on the web.Every time we use the internet, it is likely that the data is being transmitted on these submarine cables.
Throughout history, these cables have belonged to telecommunications operators and private agents.For example, Orange has recently established an alliance with West African and Data Center to reinforce a submarine cable already existing that passes through Tenerife to Nigeria.It is a 7,000km cable that connects Europe and Africa.But, today, content providers such as Facebook, Microsoft or Google also play an important role in the investment and creation of these cables.In fact, they are the owners of some of the most famous cables and with their own name.Marea (co-ownership of Facebook and Microsoft) or Faster (of Google) are some examples.
How do they work?
Like any other cable, its objective is to connect one point with another.Inside contains fiber optic filaments that carry light signals from a transmitter to a receiver.Its diameter is about the same width as a hair human.This fiber is surrounded by several layers of insulation and protection.The total thickness of the cable changes along its path, but most of it is the size of a garden hose.
As for its capacity, it also varies.When measuring it, both its potential capacity (the one that could reach its maximum level) and the service capacity (the one that actually runs) are taken into account.(the cable that Facebook and Microsoft share) is capable of transporting 160 terabits (one million megabits) per second.
Virtually all countries with coast are connected by some cable.If you look at the Telegeography map, only some countries like North Korea or Eritrea do not have connection points.Given that they serve to send information, their placement depends much of the demand.That explains the amount of cables that exist between Europe and the United States and the absence of direct connections between Asia and Latin America.This is mostly connected with North America (although we can find, for example, direct connections between Brazil and Portugal).
Normally, companies have several cables.If one fails (yes, these cables can be damaged or even broken), there is a plan B.Most accidents that end up damaging an underwater cable are caused by human activities: blows caused by shipwrecks or anchors and, to a much lesser extent, sabotage, although sometimes the cables also suffer damages caused by earthquakes or (surely you are thinking about it) animal bites such as the shark.
Routes drawn at the bottom of the sea
Although the The shortest distance between two points is always the straight line, in the design of submarine cable routes rarely can this rule be implemented.Precisely to avoid dangerous conditions that can damage them, the cables are placed in selected places.fishing areas or faults and, as far as possible, are placed on sand and non-rocky bottoms.
In the beaches and coasts the cables are buried to increase their protection, however, in the depths they lie directly on the surface.The deepest point where there is an underwater telecommunications cable is the Japan Trench.It is located at a depth of 8,000 meters.
How do you put a SUBMARINE cable to connect Europe and America?
The simple answer would be to extend the cable through the seabed with the help of a specialized ship and an underwater machine that bury some parts.Each certain kilometers could also be placed, also, repeaters to guarantee the power of the signal.
However, the explanation can be much broader.Previously, studies have to be carried out to define the cable routing between the two ground stations to which it would be connected.For example, bathymetry studies can be carried out to have a 3D image of the seabed.
Next, it is necessary to dig the strip to bury the cable in the areas near the coast.The moment when the cable is connected to the ground stations is one of the most delicate of the whole process.Normally, the cable It is located on the main ship and it is necessary to use a smaller boat to bring the ends to the coast.
With expiration date
And, nevertheless, the process does not end here.A submarine cable requires frequent maintenance.Really, its repair to such depth is impossible (or at least, very complicated).Therefore, they are currently fixed in the surface.The damaged ends are rescued with a robot and the damage is repaired on board a ship.
When an underwater cable ceases to be operational, it is up to its owner to remove it or leave it at the bottom of the sea.Some companies remove them to reuse their materials, following the principles of the circular economy, or reuse them in another route.that can draw one more line in the intricate underground map that hides under seas and oceans.A map that, although we don't see, is as present in our lives as the cables, satellites and antennas that decorate the surface.
Images | TeleGeography, iStock/Ivanko_Brnjakovic, iStock/Tomassino
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