Starlink vs submarine cables: Can satellites keep the internet running when cables break?
A submarine cable is severed, international internet traffic is disrupted, and millions of people struggle to access online services. It's a big question today: Iran has threatened to cut submarine cables if attacked. The IRGC has attacked and continues to threaten its neighbours. Can satellites save the internet when cables snap? Could Starlink step in and keep the world connected? The short…
Satellite networks can provide vital backup connectivity when submarine cables are severed, but they cannot replace the capacity offered by these undersea cables on a global scale. While there are 1.7 million kilometers of submarine cables worldwide, they are the primary conduit for international data traffic, with up to 200 cut incidents reported annually.
In contrast, satellite networks offer limited capacity, with a 1 Gbps link capable of replacing merely 0.005% of a 20 Tbps submarine cable's capacity. Therefore, satellites are more suited to targeted backup connectivity than to fully replacing high-capacity international cable systems.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
