Continuing to highlight the trans-Atlantic route, this blog examines the introduction of new cable system technologies with the resulting evolution of the cross-sectional cable capacity.

In this blog we discuss six key technologies that were gradually introduced to increase bandwidth capabilities for cross-sectional submarine cables over transoceanic routes.

This post builds upon the previous blog “Evolution of Trans-Atlantic Cable Capacity: Between Hype and Reality,” which examines the implications of the submarine cable growth rate.

Subsea cable systems have more capacity than ever before, resulting in technical advancements. We review technology innovations and how they resulted in significant evolution in capacity over the trans-Atlantic cable routes.

When I think of the protection of key infrastructure, I think of bridges, tunnels, ports, airports, the facilities necessary for military and civil order, and the scattered facilities that supply food and energy in the form of electricity and hydrocarbons.

With seemingly insatiable bandwidth needs across the globe, major content providers (Facebook, Google, and, to a lesser extent, Amazon and Microsoft) are more involved than ever in the building of long-haul subsea cable systems.