International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience

About International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience: 

• It was jointly launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC).
• This initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of submarine cables, which are essential to the functioning of the global digital economy.
• Members:
  • It comprises 40 members from around the world—including ministers, heads of regulatory authorities, and senior experts in telecommunications—the body reflects a diverse global perspective.
• The Advisory Body will meet bi-annually to consult on international policies, infrastructure, and best practices for improving submarine cable resilience
• Functions
  • It will work towards promoting best practices across governments and industries to improve cable resilience, reduce risks of damage, and ensure the swift repair and deployment of these vital systems.
  • The collective experience of the body will help address the needs of those whose livelihoods depend on submarine cables, as well as those responsible for deploying, maintaining, and protecting this critical infrastructure.
  • The Advisory Body will also provide strategic guidance to address challenges related to increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and growing environmental threats to submarine cables.

What is the International Cable Protection Committee?

• It was founded in 1958, is a global forum for governments and commercial entities involved in the submarine cable industry.
• Its primary mission is to enhance the security of undersea cables by providing a platform for exchanging technical, legal, and environmental information.

Q1: What is a submarine cable?

Subsea or submarine cables are fiber optic cables that connect countries across the world via cables laid on the ocean floor. These cables – often thousands of miles in length – are able to transmit huge amounts of data rapidly from one point to another. A submarine cable is a fiber optic cable laid in the ocean, connecting two or more landing points.

News: International Advisory Body Formed to Strengthen the Resilience of Submarine Telecom Cables