Global - Infrastructure - Submarine Cables

Synopsis

Activity in the submarine cable sector continued throughout 2009 with many cable build-out announcements coming from around the world. Network upgrades are also on the agenda for some existing systems. Collaboration continues as companies work together to share building costs in the current economic climate. One of the big developments in global telecoms is that many African countries are gaining access to fibre optic international submarine cables for the first time. This report provides a high-level overview of the submarine cable sector, with a focus on developments since the last boom. It includes examples of major in-service and proposed submarine systems and data on global submarine investments and costs.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Introduction
• 3. 2009/2010: Focus shifts to Africa
  • 3.1 2007 - 2008: the revival continued
  • 3.2 2006: Taiwan earthquake
  • 3.3 2005: signs of expansion
  • 3.4 2002 – 2004: the years in between
  • 3.5 1998 – 2001: boom years
• 4. Case study: Latin America
• 5. Bandwidth demand
• 6. Submarine cable construction costs
• 7. The new submarine paradigm
• 8. Related reports

• Table 1 – Worldwide value of investments in submarine cable systems– 2001; 2004; 2007; 2009
• Table 2 – International bandwidth usage annual change – 2005 - 2008
• Table 3 – Construction costs of submarine cables – 1997 - 2009

• Exhibit 1 - Examples of major in-service submarine cable systems worldwide – 2009
• Exhibit 2 – Selected examples of proposed submarine cables - 2009
• Exhibit 3 – Examples of submarine cable system owners
• Exhibit 4 - Definition: Indefeasible Right of Use