Underground Cable Basics: Types, Depth, and Installation Guide
Underground cables play a very important role in today’s world. They carry internet, phone signals, and electricity from one place to another. Engineers place these cables under the ground to protect them from rain, heat, wind, and accidents. The placement provides cities and countries with a more stable and safe connection. More companies have started to use them. The market for underground fiber optic cables reached USD 13 billion in 2024, based on GM Insights. Businesses need strong and stable networks to support more data use. Understanding how these systems work helps companies make better choices for their network plans. This is helpful for businesses that want to expand to many locations. What type of cable is used underground? Fiber optic, copper, and power are the main types of underground cables. Fiber optic sends data as light signals through glass or plastic fibers. This allows very fast data transfer over long distances. GSMA reported that 5G use drives higher demand for fiber, with global 5G use expected to reach over 56% by 2030. Copper cables, such as twisted pair and coaxial, carry telephone, internet, and cable TV services. Workers install power lines underground to deliver electricity to homes and offices. Engineers choose the type of cable based on purpose and local regulations, ensuring each cable has strong insulation and outer protection. How deep should underground cables be buried? Contractors bury underground cables 24 to 36 inches deep, depending on the type and local rules. Telecommunication cables usually go at least 24 inches (60 cm) deep to avoid light digging. In 2024, the Fiber Broadband Association reported a median cost of $18.25 per foot for underground fiber. Power cables go deeper because they carry electricity, often 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 cm) or more. Installers check soil conditions, traffic, cold weather, and local rules before work. How long does direct burial wire last in the ground? Direct burial fiber optic underground cables usually last 20 to 30 years. High-quality ones can last up to 40 years or more if installed properly. Their lifespan depends on several factors, especially water exposure. Water entering through a cracked jacket can damage the fibers inside. Soil type also matters. Wet or acidic soil wears them down faster than dry, stable soil. Proper installation of underground cables protects them from stress and damage during digging and placement. Regular checks and signal monitoring detect small problems early. Network teams can fix issues before they become bigger and more expensive. Building reliable networks with dark fiber Underground cables form the base of modern telecom networks. Companies that choose the right cable, bury it at the correct depth, and install it properly can make the network last for many years. Businesses enjoy stable and fast connections and can expand their network as their needs grow. Dark fiber gives companies full control of their network. ARNet operates more than 10,000 km of fiber network across Southeast Asia. The company supports hyperscalers and large businesses in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. It provides long haul links, metro fiber networks, and last mile fiber delivery. This wide coverage allows businesses to build networks that match their exact needs. ARNet is the only provider in the region that controls all key licenses under one company. This leads to fewer delays and smoother coordination. The company builds and manages its own underground cables, so performance stays consistent in every location. It uses real-time monitoring to keep a committed SLA. Fast deployment and strong network control help ARNet provide businesses with stable and scalable dark fiber networks across Southeast Asia. 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