Quick Overview:
- Special ships carry and lay the cables across the ocean floor
- Cables follow an "S" shape so they stay flexible and easier to fix
- They are covered with strong material to handle rough ocean conditions
- Things like fishing nets and anchors sometimes damage them, but backups help keep internet stable
- Repairs use divers, robots, or tools depending on how deep the cable is
- Satellites exist, but undersea cables still carry most internet data because they are faster and more stable
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How the cables are laid underwater
Undersea internet cables connect countries and continents. Ships that do this job carry huge rolls of cable, and they move slowly while placing the cable on the sea floor.
The cable does not go in a straight line. It follows a kind of "S" shape so it can handle pressure from the water and move a bit without snapping. That shape also makes it easier to fix later.
When the roll runs out, the crew joins the end to a new one by splicing the fiber strands together. Splicing is lining up the tiny glass parts inside and sealing them so data can keep flowing without any break. It has to be super precise or the signal will not pass through properly.
If the distance is really long, another ship may bring more rolls so the work can keep going without stopping.
Why the cables are so tough
The fiber inside the cable is fragile, but the outside has layers of protection. There is metal and other strong stuff to handle ocean pressure, sharp rocks, and sea creatures.
Sharks sometimes bite the cables, maybe because of the signal it gives off, but this is not common. Most of the time, damage comes from fishing nets or ship anchors dragging across the seabed.
To avoid problems, more than one cable usually goes through the same area. So if one stops working, the others take over. That way, you still get internet even if one cable breaks.
How repairs are done
It depends where the cable is. If it is in shallow water, divers can go down and fix it. If it is deep, the ship uses a tool to grab the cable and pull it up. They cut the broken part and splice the ends back together. In some hard places, they send robots underwater to do the job.
There are ships that stay ready all the time just to fix broken cables fast. That helps keep everything running.
Why it is not an easy job
Laying these cables takes a lot of work and money. Every kilometer can cost between 30,000 and 90,000 dollars. The crews have to deal with strong waves, rough seabeds, and the careful splicing work. But materials and tech have improved, so cables now last longer and work better than before.
Why undersea cables still matter
Some people think most internet data goes through satellites, but that is not true. Satellites are slower and sometimes lag because the signal has to travel so far. Undersea cables carry almost all the global data because they are faster and more stable.
Even with new tech coming in, these cables are still super important.
Source: Reddit
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