Subsea cables are the lifeline of today’s interconnected world. Almost everything people do on the internet and the phone – calling, texting, running a software application, downloading or uploading data, streaming – requires the assistance of a subsea cable, which runs hundreds of miles beneath the sea.
Furthermore, subsea cables are essential parts that allow people all over the world to connect to the internet. As the world spends more time online and moves to cloud computing, the demand for subsea cables will only increase.
Advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as the internet, have resulted in improvements in life expectancy, GDP, life satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. Internet access is crucial to New Zealand’s effective digitalisation. As an outcome, the New Zealand government has established strategic priorities in the digital domain, including internet access.
During this pandemic, the internet has been the primary source of information for the people, and to provide the best coverage, companies are launching several initiatives and projects to improve and strengthen the country’s network speed. To address this, New Zealand recently launched another submarine cable, which will double the country’s internet capacity and will be launched from Takapuna beach in Auckland.
The cable project, which is a joint venture between New Zealand’s network providers, would double the country’s internet capacity. The cable will add up to 72 terabits per second of capacity, which is equivalent to streaming more than 4.5 million ultra-HD videos at the same time. Its 15,000-kilometre route will run from Takapuna, Auckland to Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, before finally arriving in California, United States.
Light is used to transmit data along the cable. High-tech lasers transmit light signals through glass cables, which are received by equipment at the other end. The cable is expected to be fully operational by April of the following year.
Underwater cables are the unseen force driving the modern internet, with many being funded in recent years by internet behemoths. As in today, there are around 380 underwater cables in operation around the world, spanning a length of over 1.2 million kilometres (745,645 miles). Despite the fact that they carry almost all communications, they are obsolete in a world of wireless networking and smartphones.
Just last week, New Zealand’s network developer had deployed a 5G network to the country which is now the ninth location in New Zealand to have 5G access for both wireless broadband and mobile usage. OpenGov Asia reported, as per the network provider, the company has been making progress on its 5G rollout, which is enabling faster home wireless broadband and mobile speeds while also paving the way for the emergence of new technology and experiences that require 5G’s speed, low latency, and mass connectivity. The 5G coverage will also significantly enhance their smart waste bin by improving the speed of sorting the waste into landfills or recyclables in the country.
Tablets and smartphones with Internet access are increasing New Zealanders’ demand for Internet access and faster Internet speeds. Other initiatives implemented by the New Zealand government is with the improvement of broadband services via two significant investments: the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative and the Rural Broadband Initiative. The Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative will bring fibre-optic technology to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. The Rural Broadband Initiative will deliver broadband Internet to rural communities at a cost and service level comparable with urban areas.
Opportunities arise and are seized continuously in an intensely competitive, very fast-paced market. New Zealand’s highly innovative consumer market for ICT goods and services (commercial and personal) is an early and enthusiastic adopter of new systems and processes.
Undersea cables are a valuable commodity in the global communication environment of the twenty-first century. The undersea consortium is owned by several international companies, and these companies provide high-speed broadband connectivity and capacity for large geographic areas that are vital to global trade and communications.
