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FEATURE SUBMARINE CABLES
backbone. Since the original development of the network, it has become apparent that the most appropriate way to incorporate subsea research sensors into our network is to have third party-owned cables hub into the Arctic Fibre backbone at the nearest cable landing station. We continue to work with a number of research entities and government agencies for the provision of bandwidth at various landing points along our network.’ With estimates suggesting incorporating
sensors into a backbone telecom cable could cost up to 5 per cent of the total project price, finding funds won’t be trivial. Alongside the UNCLOS situation, both NEC and HMN highlight the need for a business case that’s compelling both to cable owners and research funders. Constable, however, is optimistic that there is enough interest to justify investment in some circumstances. ‘I don’t think there’s going to be a business
case on every system,’ Constable warned. ‘But for Pacific systems in particular, there has been a lot of interest in the scientific community in purchasing this data. Tey face big bills to keep their buoy system working, which isn’t that
effective. Te key things are how much are they willing to pay and who are they? Te benefit of integrating sensors into the telecom system is bigger footprints. You have more sensors in the water over a larger area, coupled with more systems in the water for a cheaper price, because you’re actively investing in the infrastructure. But ultimately who should be responsible for
We have an unprecedented opportunity
collating this information and analysing it for the sake of humanity? If that’s sovereign governments, they can build these systems as standalone. Tese systems have been built.’ Webster, meanwhile, highlighted how
valuable such data could be: ‘Small, precise, reliable and inexpensive sensors can be installed on new or refurbished cable systems at modest cost. Many require little or no maintenance.
Weigh that against the human and financial cost of natural and manmade disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis and climate change if action is not taken. Tere have been nearly a dozen major tsunamis over the last decade that have caused loss of life in the hundreds of thousands, destroyed billions of dollars of property and infrastructure and disrupted economic activity. ‘We have an unprecedented opportunity to
gather data on parameters such as water temperature at many points along new cable routes on the ocean floor, on a consistent and sustained basis. We need to find the right models for funding and operating hybrid systems such that the ultra-high reliability demanded by submarine cable owners is maintained. Tis needs to be supported by a commitment by future users – including academia, governments, NGOs and disaster response agencies – to subscribe to the new environmental data services in light of the huge benefits they will bring.’l
Andy Extance is a freelance science journalist based in Exeter, UK
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