- Global data traffic is doubling every three years, with 98% carried by subsea cables.
- The GLF Board urges collaboration to overcome supply chain delays and ensure timely infrastructure deployment.
What happened
The Global Leaders’ Forum (GLF) Board has called for stronger collaboration across the subsea cable industry in response to supply chain delays. Global data traffic continues to rise rapidly, with subsea fibre-optic cables handling 98% of it. Between 2024 and 2028, subsea bandwidth demand is expected to increase by 215%, with over 80 new cable systems planned.
However, supply chain constraints are causing major delays. Some new cable projects may take up to five years to become operational. The GLF has urged the industry to work together to overcome these bottlenecks.
Why it’s important
Subsea cables are vital for global connectivity, and delays in their deployment could impact sectors that require low-latency connections, such as artificial intelligence (AI). The GLF Board also highlighted the risk of regional capacity shortages over the next five years, which could affect innovation and economic growth.
Enrico Bagnasco, Chair of the GLF, stressed the need for collaboration across the subsea value chain. He emphasised the importance of increasing manufacturing and marine operations capacity to meet the growing demands of the digital economy.
