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🌐 What is a Submarine Communication Cable?
The Undersea Network Attracting Big Tech Giants Like Google and Meta
1. Submarine Communication Cable: The High-Speed Data Highway Beneath the Sea
A submarine communication cable is a critical infrastructure that physically connects continents by laying fiber-optic cables across the ocean floor. These cables enable international internet, telephone, video call, and cloud data transmission.
📡 Over 99% of international communications are transmitted via submarine cables.
While copper-based cables were used in the past, ultra-fast fiber-optic cables now dominate. These cables minimize data loss and offer high-speed transmission, making them essential for time-sensitive industries like international finance, gaming, and AI training.
2. Submarine Cable Market Forecast: Surging Toward ₩29 Trillion by 2029
According to CRU, a global market research firm, the submarine cable market, which was valued at ₩6.4 trillion in 2022, is projected to grow to ₩29.5 trillion by 2029, nearly a 20% annual growth rate.
🚀 Key Drivers of Demand Growth:
- AI and cloud data surge
- Explosive demand from video streaming and the metaverse
- Global interconnectivity strategies (e.g., the Digital Silk Road)
In particular, AI large-scale model training requires massive bandwidth, which is simply impossible to handle without a stable submarine cable infrastructure.
3. Why Are Google and Meta Laying Their Own Submarine Cables?
In recent years, big tech companies have started to invest in and build their own submarine cable networks.
| Company | Submarine Cable Projects |
|---|---|
| Dunant, Equiano, Firmina | |
| Meta (Facebook) | Marea, 2Africa |
| Amazon | Via AWS global infrastructure |
These tech giants aim to reduce latency and increase reliability by directly connecting their global data centers, minimizing dependence on traditional telecom providers.
💡 The core strength of AI and cloud platforms lies in fast and stable data transfer networks.
4. The Global Cable War: A New Era of Digital Sovereignty
Submarine cable infrastructure has evolved into a strategic weapon for digital sovereignty.
South Korea is actively expanding its influence in this field through companies like LS Cable & System, KT Submarine, and KT SAT.
🧾 Summary:
- Submarine communication cables are critical to global internet infrastructure.
- The market is experiencing explosive growth due to AI and cloud expansion.
- Big tech firms are building their own undersea networks to boost competitiveness.
🌊 Types of Submarine Cables
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Submarine Power Cable | Transfers electricity (HVDC or HVAC) between continents and offshore wind farms. |
| Submarine Communication Cable | Fiber-optic cable that handles ~99% of global internet and telecom traffic. |
🌍 Major Global Submarine Cable Companies
| Country | Company | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | LS Cable & System | Fast growth in power cable segment, HVDC production capabilities |
| Japan | NEC | Leader in submarine communication cable technology |
| China | Hengtong, ZTT | Competitive pricing, large-scale deployments |
| Norway | Nexans | Leader in HVDC submarine cables in Europe |
| Italy | Prysmian Group | World’s largest submarine cable manufacturer |
| USA | SubCom (TE SubCom) | Specialized in communication cable deployment |
🏆 Market Leader: Prysmian Group
- Global No.1 in submarine cable production (both power and telecom).
- Dominates HVDC submarine power cable segment in technology and order volume.
📊 Prysmian’s Market Share Overview:
- Together with Nexans and NKT, Prysmian holds over 75% of the global submarine power cable market.
- Building a new export cable factory in Massachusetts, USA (expected by 2025).
- Facing competition from LS Cable, ZTT, and Sumitomo Electric.
🌐 LS Cable & System and Offshore Wind Expansion
🔩 Key Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Line | HVDC, HVAC, concentric neutral cables |
| Technology | First in Korea to produce 500kV cable, world-class HVDC |
| Production Bases | Donghae (Korea), Indonesia, Vietnam |
| Major Projects | Ulsan, West Sea, Shinan wind farms |
| Export Regions | USA, Europe, Taiwan |
🌎 Global Expansion Strategy
- USA: Considering a plant near Boston.
- Europe: Competing with Prysmian, Nexans.
- Southeast Asia: Rapid growth via Indonesia and Vietnam operations.
📈 Market Position
- Currently ranked 4th globally in the submarine cable market.
- Expected to win multi-trillion won contracts between 2024–2030.
✅ Summary
LS Cable is emerging as a key supplier in offshore wind submarine cable demand.
With HVDC localization and mega-scale offshore projects in Korea, the company is positioned for explosive growth.