TL;DR

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing demand for submarine cable capacity, accelerating interest in new transmission technologies and more efficient network architectures.
  • Growing concerns about cable damage, sabotage, and geopolitical tensions are making subsea security and infrastructure resilience increasingly important.
  • The relationship between submarine networks, cable landing stations, and data centers is evolving as operators seek more direct and efficient connectivity.
  • Changing investment priorities, public-private partnerships and new cable projects are influencing the future of global subsea connectivity.

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The world’s submarine cable systems carry the international data traffic that keeps businesses, cloud platforms, and digital economies connected. As artificial intelligence (AI) drives greater demand for bandwidth and governments place increased emphasis on protecting critical infrastructure, the submarine cable industry is navigating a period of technological change, investment opportunities, and growing security concerns.

These priorities were reflected at Submarine Networks World 2026, held September 23–24 in Singapore. The event brought together telecommunications providers, network operators, investors, technology developers, and policymakers to examine the future of global subsea connectivity with discussions spanning AI-driven capacity requirements, cable protection, infrastructure financing, and the evolving relationship between submarine networks and data centers.

AI Demand Accelerates the Need for Greater Network Capacity

The rapid expansion of AI applications is placing new demands on global networks, increasing pressure on submarine cable operators to deliver greater capacity and efficiency. As data-intensive workloads expand across geographic markets, the industry is evaluating technologies that can support higher transmission volumes while maximizing existing infrastructure investments.

The impact of AI on subsea networks was explored by Walid Wakim, Chief Technology Officer of Systems at Nokia, while discussions featuring Amit Malik, Vice President, APJI Sales at Ciena, examined the growing capacity requirements facing global networks. Topics included the implications of AI-driven traffic growth and the technologies needed to support future connectivity demands.

Additional discussions addressed petabit-scale connectivity, multicore and hollow-core fiber technologies, and the commercial viability of existing cable systems. These developments reflect the industry’s efforts to increase capacity while managing the costs and technical complexities of deploying and maintaining subsea infrastructure.

Subsea Security Becomes a Global Infrastructure Priority

Submarine cables are increasingly recognized as critical infrastructure requiring stronger protection against accidental damage, deliberate interference, and geopolitical threats. With international communications and economic activity dependent on these systems, cable resilience has become an important consideration for governments, operators, and infrastructure investors.

The importance of coordinated security strategies was examined by industry and government representatives, including Kent Bressie, Partner at HWG LLP and Legal Adviser to the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). Discussions explored how public and private organizations can align responsibilities, improve monitoring, and translate security policies into practical protection measures.

The agenda also addressed threats ranging from fishing activity and maritime incidents to potential sabotage, along with vulnerabilities at cable landing points. These considerations reinforce the need for improved situational awareness, international cooperation, and coordinated response strategies to strengthen the resilience of global communications networks.

Data Centers and Submarine Networks Become More Closely Connected

As hyperscale cloud providers and AI infrastructure operators expand globally, the relationship between submarine cables and terrestrial data center networks is changing. Traditional cable landing station models are being reconsidered as organizations seek to reduce latency, improve network efficiency, and connect international capacity more directly to computing infrastructure.

The evolving role of these facilities was explored through discussions featuring Mike Cunningham, CEO of Crosslake Fibre, who examined whether direct connections between submarine cables and data centers could become a more prominent deployment model. Other sessions addressed neutral cable landing stations, hybrid landing center architectures, and the growing connectivity requirements of neocloud providers.

These discussions highlighted the importance of coordinating submarine and terrestrial infrastructure development. As demand for distributed computing and high-capacity connectivity increases, greater integration between cable systems, landing facilities, and data centers could influence future network design and investment strategies.

Investment and Partnerships Shape the Next Generation of Cable Projects

Building and maintaining submarine cable systems requires substantial capital, long-term planning, and coordination among governments, telecommunications providers, and private investors. As demand for international connectivity grows, the industry is evaluating how investment models and partnerships can support new projects while managing financial and operational risks.

The changing investment landscape was examined by Matthew Goh, Director at KKR, during discussions exploring private-sector approaches to submarine cable investment. Topics included evolving investor priorities, supply-and-demand dynamics, and the factors influencing the commercial viability of new infrastructure projects.

The event also featured international cable initiatives and public-private partnership strategies, particularly across the Indo-Pacific region. As countries seek to strengthen digital sovereignty and network resilience, collaboration among governments, investors, and industry stakeholders will remain important to expanding secure and reliable global connectivity.

Securing the Future of Global Connectivity

Submarine Networks World 2026 highlighted how the industry’s responsibilities are expanding alongside the demand for international connectivity. Increasing capacity alone is no longer sufficient. Operators and infrastructure partners must also address security risks, evolving network architectures, and the financial requirements of building resilient subsea systems.

The discussions reinforced the importance of balancing technological innovation with long-term infrastructure protection and investment. As AI adoption accelerates and digital economies become more interconnected, submarine networks will remain essential to supporting reliable communications and the continued growth of global digital infrastructure.

Continue exploring the developments shaping global subsea connectivity at next year’s Submarine Networks World 2027, taking place September 29–30, 2027 in Singapore alongside Subsea Security World.