Understanding Network Connectivity in Dark Fiber Infrastructure
Network connectivity is how computers and devices connect to share information. For example, a global telecom organization reports that 68% of people around the world (5.5 billion people) use the internet in 2024. This shows how important good connections are for businesses and people today. Companies need fast and reliable ways to connect their systems. That’s where dark fiber networks come in. Dark fiber networks give businesses their own private fiber cables. This helps them control their connection speed and quality. Therefore, learning about network connectivity helps businesses pick the right setup for their needs. What is the meaning of network connectivity? Network connectivity means devices can connect and talk to each other through a network. This lets information move from one place to another. You use network connectivity when you browse websites, send emails, make video calls, or access files stored online. Good network connectivity means your data moves fast and arrives safely. How well your network works depends on a few things. These include how much data can travel at once, how fast it travels, and how reliable your cables and equipment are. For this reason, businesses need steady connections to keep their work running smoothly. They use these connections every day for customer service, storing data, and running their operations. What are the different types of network connectivity? Network connectivity comes in two main types. These are physical connections and wireless connections. Each type serves different needs depending on speed, stability, and use case. Below is the explanation of each type. Physical connections Physical connections use actual cables to link devices together. These cables can be made of copper wire or special glass fibers. Specifically, fiber optic cables send information as light signals through thin glass threads. As a result, these cables can carry lots of data very quickly over long distances. In this case, dark fiber means unused fiber cables that a company can rent or buy for their own private use. Wireless connections Wireless connections send data through the air without any cables. Instead, they use invisible signals similar to radio waves. For example, common types are Wi-Fi in your office, cell phone networks, and satellite signals. In fact, according to the GSMA State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 report, 4.6 billion people use mobile internet on their phones. Wireless is convenient because you can move around freely. However, cable connections usually work faster and more reliably. What can cause network connectivity issues? Unfortunately, several problems can stop your network from working properly. These include DNS server downtime, incorrect DNS configurations, and network security settings blocking DNS traffic. Below is the explanation of each problem. DNS server downtime DNS servers work like phone books for the internet. They change website names into number codes that computers understand. DNS server downtime happens when these servers stop working. For instance, this can happen during repairs, attacks from hackers, or technical breakdowns. In 2025, several major DNS outages affected popular services, causing many websites to stop working. As a result, companies using only one DNS provider face bigger problems during these failures. Incorrect DNS configurations Wrong DNS settings stop devices from finding websites and online services. These mistakes happen when someone enters the wrong server addresses or sets up the system incorrectly. Small errors in these settings can make it hard or impossible for users to reach the websites they need. Network security settings blocking DNS traffic Security systems protect networks from threats and attacks. However, sometimes these security tools block good traffic by mistake. For example, strict security rules or old protection settings can stop DNS requests from going through. As a result, this creates problems for people trying to access websites and online tools. Securing your network infrastructure Strong network connectivity is necessary for business success today. Companies must pick systems that work reliably and can grow with their needs. Dark fiber gives businesses full control over how their network performs. These unused fiber optic cables can run on land, underwater, or above ground, and each type needs different protection based on whether it connects nearby areas or covers long distances. In fact, the global dark fiber network market reached USD 6.25 billion in 2024. This shows that more and more companies want their own private fiber cables. For this reason, ARNet provides dark fiber solutions for companies that need better network connectivity. The company gives businesses their own private fiber cables that work faster and more reliably. As a result, ARNet’s services help companies avoid the connection problems that happen with shared networks. Businesses should pick ARNet because the company offers reliable systems that grow as your company grows. ARNet’s private fiber networks remove speed limits and provide better security than regular shared services. This means your company can set up the network exactly how you need it. You can keep strong performance for all your important business activities. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Understanding Submarine Cable Map and Dark Fiber Infrastructure for Global Connectivity
The internet around the world runs through physical cables placed under the ocean. These submarine cables carry more than 95% of global data between countries. According to Grand View Research, the submarine cable market reached USD 31.70 billion in 2024. This market keeps growing because more people need fast and stable internet. A submarine cable map shows where these cables connect countries and continents. Dark fiber works together with submarine cables to support strong network systems. Dark fiber means unused fiber optic cables that companies can rent or own for their own networks. Many businesses use a submarine cable map to see where cables land and plan their connections. Because of this, understanding how submarine cables and dark fiber work together helps companies choose the right internet setup. How deep are submarine cables buried? Submarine cables are buried at different depths based on where they are located. A submarine cable map typically shows the routes of these cables across the ocean floor. In shallow waters near the coast, crews bury cables 1 meter deep into the ocean floor. This protects them from ship anchors and fishing nets. According to KIS-ORCA, special underwater plows dig narrow trenches to bury the cables. However, deep ocean areas do not need cable burial. Instead, cables in deep water just sit on the ocean floor. This is because fewer ships and fishing boats go to those deep areas. Looking at any submarine cable map, you can see that cables crossing deep ocean trenches sit at depths over 8,000 feet below sea level. Meanwhile, companies use water jets and underwater robots to bury cables in areas up to 2,000 meters deep. What happens when undersea internet cables are cut? Damaged submarine cables quickly stop internet services. Countries lose their internet connection until workers fix the cables. A submarine cable map helps network operators see which cables are affected and plan alternate routes during outages. For example, Internet Society reported that in March 2024, four cables were damaged off the coast of West Africa. This affected many countries at the same time. Fixing broken cables needs special ships and trained workers. First, workers pull the broken cable from the ocean floor onto the repair ship. Then, they connect new cable pieces to fix the break. Most simple repairs take 5 to 15 days. However, harder repairs in dangerous areas can take many months. For instance, Recorded Future found that cable breaks in the Red Sea in February 2024 took almost five months to fix. This was because of permit delays and safety concerns in that region. Why do we need undersea cables with satellites available? There are many reasons why submarine cables are still very important today: Satellites are still useful in places where cables cannot reach. Remote islands and far areas often use satellites because it is hard to install cables there. But according to TeleGeography, satellites carry less than 0.37% of the world’s data. Most busy coastal areas use submarine cables instead. MarketsandMarkets also says the submarine cable market reached USD 18.2 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow to USD 29.7 billion by 2029. Big companies like Google and Meta continue to build new submarine cables. Today, there are 559 active submarine cable systems around the world. Building reliable network infrastructure Submarine cables are the main foundation of global internet connectivity. Businesses need reliable fiber infrastructure to send and receive their data. Dark fiber solutions give dedicated bandwidth without sharing with other users. This means companies can grow their network speed as they need more data capacity. Companies can check the submarine cable map to see how their location connects to global networks. ARNet provides dark fiber solutions that connect businesses to important network infrastructure. Our dark fiber services let companies control their own network capacity and speed. ARNet’s infrastructure links to major submarine cable landing stations and data centers across the region. We help businesses understand the submarine cable map and connect to the right landing points for their needs. If your business needs connections between countries in Southeast Asia using sea cables, ARNet can help. We help businesses understand the submarine cable map and connect to the right landing points for their needs. Choose ARNet because we offer dedicated fiber solutions with guaranteed bandwidth and low delay times. Our network infrastructure helps businesses that need secure and reliable internet for their work. ARNet’s dark fiber services remove the speed limits that shared networks create. This gives your company the performance needed for applications that use lots of data. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Data Center Connectivity Explained: 4 Types of Data Centers and How They Connect
Modern businesses need data centers to store and handle huge amounts of information. This is why data center connectivity is growing so fast today. In fact, Grand View Research shows that the global data center market was worth USD 383.82 billion in 2025. It is expected to reach USD 902.19 billion by 2033. These numbers will continue to grow quickly. As a result, companies need their data centers to talk to each other quickly and smoothly. They need to connect to other buildings, cloud services, and their customers. Because of this growing need, good data center connectivity and planning has become important for companies in all industries. Beyond basic setup, the quality of connections between data centers directly affects how fast apps run. It affects how well services work. As the amount of data continues to grow, businesses look for connectivity solutions that offer high speed, low delays, and complete control over their network setup. For these reasons, dark fiber has become a popular choice. It helps companies that want to build their own private networks between buildings. However, to understand how this works, we first need to explore what data center connectivity means. What is Data Center Connectivity? Data center connectivity is how data centers connect to each other and to the internet. These connections help data move between computers and other devices. Companies use different ways to connect. For example, they use cables, wireless links, or rented network lines. Choosing the right connection helps businesses keep their systems fast and stable. How Are Data Centers Connected? Data centers connect to each other using fiber optic cables, wireless links, or rented network lines. The choice depends on their needs. Most buildings use fiber optic cables because they are fast and reliable. In many cases, companies rent lit fiber from telecom providers. With this option, the provider handles the equipment and manages the bandwidth. Another option is dark fiber. This means companies use unused fiber lines and control them fully. They can install their own equipment and upgrade the network anytime without waiting for approval. According to Grand View Research, the dark fiber market was worth USD 6.25 billion in 2024, showing strong demand for this solution. Still, choosing the right connection depends on several factors that affect data center connectivity performance. What Are the 4 Types of Data Centers? There are four main types of data centers: onsite data centers, colocation facilities, hyperscale data centers, and edge data centers. Each type supports different business needs. They also offer different options for data center connectivity. Onsite Data Centers These data centers are built inside a company’s own location. This means the company has full control over the systems and network. Onsite data centers are suitable for businesses with high security needs. They also work well for companies that use special or custom equipment. Colocation Facilities Unlike onsite centers, colocation facilities are shared by many companies. The provider supplies power, cooling, and network access. These facilities offer strong connectivity options. They allow companies to connect easily to multiple carriers and internet exchanges. Hyperscale Data Centers Big tech companies use these very large data centers. They support cloud services that need a lot of power. These data centers must connect many locations together. Strong connections help them share data smoothly. Edge Data Centers These are smaller data centers placed close to users. They help reduce delay by handling data nearby. Because of this, they need good connections to main data centers and cloud systems. Without strong connections, they cannot work well. Knowing these types of data centers helps companies choose the best setup for their needs. Conclusion Strong data center connections are important for daily work. Today, companies need fast speed, low delay, and safe networks. Because of this, many companies choose dark fiber. In this case, ARNet provides dark fiber for companies that want their own private network. With this service, ARNet gives unused fiber lines that connect buildings and data centers. So, companies can run their systems more smoothly. Also, many companies choose ARNet because the fiber can grow as their needs grow. At the same time, it gives safe and stable connections. In the end, this setup helps companies control their network and work without problems. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Understanding Your Router IP Address for Network Management
Every network needs the right settings to work well. This applies to both small offices and large companies. One important setting is the Router IP Address, which helps keep the network running smoothly. These basic settings support all online activity in your organization. Knowing how to manage a Router IP Address is an important first step for beginners. It allows devices in the network to connect and communicate properly. When it is set correctly, the network works better and connection issues happen less often. What is the Router’s IP Address? A Router IP Address is a number used to identify a router on a network. This number allows devices to connect to the router. Most home and office routers use a private IP address, such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. The router uses this address to control internet traffic and help devices send and receive data. How to See Router IP Address? To begin with, finding your router IP address depends on your operating system. These systems include: On Windows On Mac On Android On iPhone/iPad (iOS) How to Configure Router IP Address? Now that you know how to find your Router IP Address, you can set up your router to control your network and make it more secure. A 2024 survey by Broadband Genie, reported by ISPreview UK, shows that 84% of users have never changed router settings. This means many people do not set up their router correctly. Learning basic router setup can help improve network security and internet performance, and there are a few simple ways to do this based on your needs. 1. Assigning a Static IP to Your Router (for Management) Connect a computer to your router using either wired or wireless connection. Then, open a browser and navigate to the router’s current IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.2.1). After that, enter your login credentials (typically “admin” for username). Next, navigate to Setup or Network Settings in the interface menu. Subsequently, enter a new IP address (such as 192.168.1.250) along with the subnet mask, then save your changes. Finally, reconnect to the network using the new router IP address to access settings again. 2. Assigning Static IPs to Devices (DHCP Reservation) Locate your device’s MAC address (also called Physical Address) in the network settings. Then, access your router’s web interface using the steps above. After that, find the DHCP Reservation, Address Reservation, or Static Leases section. Add a new entry by entering the device’s MAC Address and assigning a specific IP Address (like 192.168.1.100) within the DHCP range. Save the settings and restart your device to apply the new configuration. 3. Setting a Static IP on the Device Itself (Manual) Identify your router’s IP (Gateway) and Subnet Mask. Then, access your device’s Wi-Fi or Network settings and locate IP Settings. After that, switch from DHCP or Automatic mode to Static or Manual. Manually enter the IP Address (outside the DHCP range), Subnet Mask, Gateway (your router IP address), and DNS servers. Conclusion Understanding and configuring your router IP address is essential for maintaining stable network connections. These skills help you troubleshoot connectivity issues, improve network security, and optimize device communication. Overall, proper IP management creates a reliable foundation for all your digital operations. However, for businesses requiring robust network infrastructure, fiber connectivity offers superior performance and reliability. ARNet specializes in dark fiber solutions that provide dedicated, unshared bandwidth for organizations with demanding connectivity needs. In addition, dark fiber gives you complete control over your network infrastructure and allows for unlimited scalability. Furthermore, ARNet stands out as a trusted partner because we deliver customized dark fiber solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Indeed, our infrastructure supports the high-speed, low-latency connections that modern businesses require for operations, cloud services, and data transfer. Additionally, we provide end-to-end support from initial consultation through deployment and ongoing maintenance, ensuring your network infrastructure and router IP address configurations run smoothly. Ultimately, our expertise in fiber infrastructure helps organizations build future-proof networks that grow with their business needs. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Understanding IP Address Classes for Dark Fiber Networks
Every device connected to a network needs an IP address to communicate. Think of it as a digital mailing address that helps information reach the right place. Meanwhile, dark fiber networks are unused fiber optic cables that companies lease to build their own private networks. As a result, understanding IP address classes helps organize data flow and keeps all devices connected properly. Furthermore, recent data from IP2Location’s 2024 report shows big changes in IP address distribution across 249 countries during 2023. Notably, Australia moved up to 10th place, while Singapore climbed to 24th, and Seychelles jumped 25 spots to reach 99th place. Thus, these changes show that more companies around the world are building network infrastructure and, consequently, need proper IP address classes to manage their growing dark fiber systems. What are the 5 Classes of IP Addresses? The 5 classes of IP addresses are Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E. Specifically, these IP address classes split the available IPv4 address space into different groups based on their size and what they’re used for. Initially, network engineers created this system to help companies organize addresses based on what they need. Furthermore, IP address classes serve different networking needs and have their own address range. Primarily, Class A, B, and C handle regular network operations. Meanwhile, Class D takes care of special multicasting functions. In contrast, Class E stays reserved for experimental work. Finally, the first few bits of an IP address tell you which class it belongs to. Class A Networks Class A addresses start with numbers from 1 to 126 in the first section. These networks work for very large companies because they can handle millions of connected devices. The first 8 bits identify the network, and the remaining 24 bits identify individual devices in that network. A typical Class A address looks like 10.x.x.x, where “x” can be any number from 0 to 255. Big internet service providers and large corporations use these addresses for their operations. Only 128 Class A networks exist worldwide, which makes them rare and valuable for managing large dark fiber infrastructure. Class B Networks Class B addresses go from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255. These networks fit well for medium-sized companies like universities, regional offices, or mid-sized businesses. The first 16 bits identify the network, and the last 16 bits identify individual devices. Companies with thousands of devices find Class B networks practical. They balance the number of available networks with how many devices each network can support. About 16,384 Class B networks are available around the world, giving growing businesses plenty of options. Class C Networks In IP address classes, Class C addresses range from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255. These addresses are commonly used by small businesses and local networks. In this IP address class, the first 24 bits are used for the network, while the remaining 8 bits are used for device addresses. Each Class C network can support up to 254 devices. This makes it a good choice for small offices or branch locations. There are about 2 million Class C networks available, giving small companies many options without needing complex or expensive network setups. Class D Networks Class D addresses range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255. These addresses handle multicast traffic, which means one sender can send data to multiple receivers at the same time. Video conferencing platforms and streaming services use this class often for smooth content delivery. Regular networks don’t assign Class D addresses to individual devices. Applications and services use them for group communication instead. This makes them useful for sending content across dark fiber networks to many endpoints at once, which saves bandwidth and improves efficiency. Class E Networks Class E addresses go from 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. Researchers and developers keep these addresses for experimental work and future applications. Regular networks can’t use these addresses for normal operations. The Internet Engineering Task Force holds these addresses for testing new protocols and networking technologies. While they exist in the IP address classes framework, they can’t be used on the public internet. This gives future innovations dedicated resources for testing and development. Conclusion Understanding IP address classes helps you build networks that fit your company’s needs. Class A, B, and C handle regular network operations for different company sizes. Class D manages multicast traffic and Class E stays reserved for experimental use. When you understand these classifications, you can design reliable dark fiber networks that grow with your business and support increasing connectivity needs across your infrastructure. Picking the right IP address classes makes sure your network performs well and can grow when you need it to. However, implementing these configurations properly requires reliable dark fiber infrastructure as the foundation for your network. ARNet provides professional dark fiber solutions that support proper IP address implementation and network design. Their infrastructure gives your business the bandwidth and flexibility needed for modern network demands. With strong expertise in dark fiber, ARNet’s experienced team helps companies make smart infrastructure decisions. Choosing ARNet means working with a provider who delivers reliable, high-capacity fiber connections built for growth. Our network infrastructure supports IP address classes and setup your company needs, from small branch offices to company-wide deployments. ARNet’s technical knowledge helps businesses build networks that work great today and scale easily for tomorrow’s needs. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
5 Simple Strategies to Set Up Dark Fiber Connectivity the Right Way (Beginner’s Guide)
The internet uses physical cables placed underground or on poles to move data between cities and countries. These cables help data centers keep websites, apps, and business systems working every day. When too many users share the same connection, the internet can become slow or unstable. This pushes companies to look for better dark fiber connectivity. To fix this issue, many businesses choose dark fiber, which means using private fiber cables instead of shared ones. With dark fiber, companies control their own speed, equipment, and access. This makes the network more stable and improves dark fiber connectivity, even for people who are new to this industry. Why is there so much dark fiber? There is a lot of dark fiber because companies built too many internet cables in the past, especially during the 1990s tech boom. At that time, it was cheaper to add extra cables while digging than to install new ones later. Today, however, new technologies like AI, cloud services, and 5G need much faster internet. As a result, businesses can use these unused cables to get private and fast connections when they need them. Does rain affect fiber internet? No, rain does not slow down fiber internet or overall dark fiber connectivity. It is because the cables use tiny flashes of light to send information, not electricity. Light travels through glass, and water can’t stop light signals the way it interferes with electric wires. However, big storms can knock down poles or break the pipes protecting the cables. That’s why building things correctly from the start is so important. It helps keep your internet working even during bad weather. Now let’s look at five simple strategies anyone can follow to set up dark fiber the right way. Strategy 1: Build two different paths Always have two separate cables going to the same place using completely different streets or paths. If a construction worker accidentally cuts one cable, your internet keeps working using the second cable, ensuring reliable dark fiber connectivity. Choose routes that never cross the same areas, document both locations with GPS, test each independently, and have a switching plan ready for emergencies. Strategy 2: Use bigger pipes than you need Cables go inside protective pipes underground, so always use pipes bigger than what you need right now. In five years you might need more cables for dark fiber connectivity, and big pipes let you add them without expensive digging. Use pipes that hold twice your current capacity, add extra empty pipes nearby, use quality plastic tubes inside for protection, and create access points every 500 feet. Strategy 3: Research the market and demand Before spending money on dark fiber, research how much internet capacity people need in your area because data centers need more speed every year. According to Grand View Research, the fiber optics industry is growing fast worldwide. Check how many data centers operate nearby, whether new businesses are moving in, what speeds companies need now versus later, and what competitors offer. Strategy 4: Test everything before going live Before customers start using your cables, test them thoroughly to find problems because a tiny crack or bend can cause outages later. Use special light-testing tools to check for breaks, measure signal strength from start to finish, test backup cables separately to ensure independence, save all results for future comparisons, and double-check connection points at both ends before launch. Finding issues early saves money on emergency repairs. Strategy 5: Keep great records Write down and map everything about your dark fiber connectivity in detail because when something breaks at 2 AM, your repair team needs to quickly find the problem. Create detailed maps showing where every cable is buried, label all equipment clearly, take photos of connection points, update records immediately after maintenance work, and share cable maps with the city so construction crews don’t accidentally dig them up. Good records mean faster fixes. Building private network infrastructure that lasts Building a private network takes more than just laying cable. You need to pay attention to physical details and plan for the long term. When you focus on diverse routes and thorough testing, you reduce tangible risks and keep service stable for your customers. These five dark fiber connectivity strategies will help your infrastructure stay dependable for decades. The right partner can make all the difference with complex infrastructure challenges. ARNet works with operators to navigate construction and implementation. We bring hands-on expertise and proven industry experience for dark fiber connectivity. If you’re ready to secure your network foundation, visit our website and let’s get started. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
6 Dark Fiber Internet Challenges (and How to Solve Each One)
As digital work grows, businesses need an internet that can handle a lot of data without becoming slow. Many companies still use the shared internet. This means many users are on the same connection, so speed becomes slower during busy times. Because of this, more businesses choose dark fiber internet for a stable and safe connection. With dark fiber internet, your business uses its own fiber cable that is not shared with others. This gives you full control of your network. You can easily manage speed, keep data more secure, and add more capacity as your business grows. What is the speed of dark fiber internet? Dark fiber internet speed depends on the equipment you connect to the fiber, not the fiber cable itself. This means businesses can upgrade speed whenever their data needs increase. A September 2025 report shows more companies choose dark fiber because it offers near unlimited capacity and better control over performance. Real world tests also show how powerful fiber technology is. For example, dark fiber cables can support speeds much faster than normal home internet. In 2024, researchers at Aston University sent 402 terabits per second through a standard fiber cable, showing how much potential existing fiber still has. Soon after, another record was set. In November 2025, scientists in Japan reached 430 terabits per second using fiber optic technology. Together, these results show that dark fiber internet can handle extremely large amounts of data when paired with the right equipment. What are the challenges of using dark fiber and how can you solve them? Dark fiber internet has several challenges, including cost, technical expertise, limited geographic, regulatory complexity, maintenance, and contract commitments. Each one can be managed with the right approach. Below is the detailed explanation of each of them. 1. High upfront costs Dark fiber can cost around $50,000 per mile for leasing and over $100,000 for equipment. To manage this, start small and only activate what you need first. You can also use equipment financing or share costs with other businesses in the same building. 2. Technical expertise requirements Running dark fiber requires skilled network professionals. One solution is to work with a managed dark fiber provider who can support your team. Another option is to train your current IT staff and hire one experienced specialist to guide them. 3. Limited geographic availability Dark fiber is often not available in rural areas or small cities. Check multiple providers to compare coverage. You can also ask providers about building new fiber to your location or choose offices with existing fiber connections. 4. Regulatory complexity and permit delays Permits can take six to twelve months in many cities. Working with providers who already have permits and local experience can speed things up. Starting the process early also helps avoid delays. 5. Operational burden and maintenance With dark fiber internet, you are responsible for monitoring and repairs. To reduce risk, choose service packages that include monitoring and maintenance support. It is also smart to build backup routes in case one fiber line fails. 6. Long term contract commitments Dark fiber contracts often last ten to twenty years. Try to negotiate shorter contracts with renewal options. Make sure contracts allow changes in capacity and routes as your business grows. Need help evaluating dark fiber for your business? ARNet helps businesses evaluate dark fiber needs across Southeast Asia. We operate a 10,000 km network that connects 60 data centers across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. We control all required licenses ourselves, allowing faster deployment and clear timelines. Our team monitors networks in real time and uses equipment we own and manage in house. This gives you reliable and scalable dark fiber internet built around your business needs. If you want to talk about your connectivity plans, contact our team for a simple, no pressure discussion about what solution fits your business best. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Undersea Cables Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter
Cables under the ocean support most of the internet we use every day. Satellites and wireless networks may seem important, but undersea cables carry most of the world’s internet traffic and connect countries. These cables sit on the ocean floor and allow things like video calls, online payments, cloud services, and social media to work. As people and businesses connect more online, these cables matter even more. Big tech companies are spending a lot of money to build new undersea cables. At the same time, people are more worried about keeping them safe and working well. Because they can send large amounts of data very fast, these cables are essential to the global digital world. What are undersea cables? Undersea cables are also called underwater cables. They are fiber optic cables placed on the seabed. These cables connect countries and areas across the sea. They send data using light. This allows information to move very fast and in very large amounts. New cables can carry huge amounts of data every second. They can send data across very long distances. According to BBC Future, each cable is about 2 centimeters thick. This is similar to a garden hose. Each cable runs for thousands of miles under the sea. This cable system is very large. Recorded Future reports that, as of April 2025, about 597 underwater cables are working or being built around the world. These cables connect continents, companies, and homes. At the same time, the International Telecommunication Union said that companies installed almost 200,000 kilometers of new cables in 2024 alone. Altogether, these cables are about 1.4 million kilometers long. This is enough to go around the Earth more than 35 times, based on data from Subsea Cables. The expanding scale of infrastructure This enormous network drives an industry experiencing rapid growth due to rising global data demand. According to Precedence Research, the global submarine cable system market was valued at USD 22.96 billion in 2025 and may reach USD 54.81 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 10.15%. These cables carry about 99% of all intercontinental internet traffic, as reported by the Atlantic Council, while satellites handle less than 5% and operate at much lower speeds. However, this expansion comes with physical challenges. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) reports an average of 199 undersea cable faults each year worldwide. Fishing and anchoring cause around 86% of these disruptions. Despite a 50% increase in cable route distance since 2013, the industry has kept fault rates stable through better protective measures, according to Submarine Networks. Why undersea cables matter for global connectivity Undersea cables are long cables under the ocean that carry the internet around the world. They are very important for daily life and for the world economy. These cables help people, businesses, and countries stay connected. Building resilient digital infrastructure The world uses undersea cables more than before. Because of this, strong networks are needed. But many networks do not have backup lines or fast repair teams. When a cable breaks, places without backups can lose internet for a long time. Also, political problems and slow repairs can make this worse. This can harm communication and business. For this reason, undersea cable networks must be ready. At the same time, more people use digital services every year. So, staying online during problems is very important. To reduce risk, companies should use backup systems. For example, more than one route helps keep the network working. In Southeast Asia, a good internet is important for business. Without it, companies can fall behind. ARNet is a top dark fiber provider. It runs an all-fiber network built for AI. The network covers over 10,000 kilometers. It reaches Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. By using sea and land cables, ARNet connects 60 data centers. Because of this, it offers clear SLAs and fast setup with one license. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet