Submarine Cable Disruptions Could Jeopardise 99% Of Global Internet Traffic- ITU Warns

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and global telecommunications experts have called for urgent action to strengthen the resilience of submarine telecommunications cables, warning that damage to the infrastructure could disrupt financial systems, government services and internet connectivity worldwide.

A new report by the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience (IAB) said submarine cables now carry more than 99 per cent of intercontinental data traffic, making them one of the world’s most critical digital infrastructures. The report warned that increasing physical risks, lengthy repair timelines and heavy reliance on a limited number of cable routes leave many countries vulnerable to prolonged communication outages.

The publication released at the conclusion of the IAB’s two-year programme under the ITU and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) recommends faster deployment and repair processes, stronger legal and regulatory frameworks, improved monitoring systems and greater investment in route diversity to reduce the risk of widespread service disruptions.

The recommendations are particularly significant for countries such as Nigeria, which relies on multiple international submarine cable systems to support its expanding digital economy, financial services, cloud infrastructure and growing internet user base.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin described submarine cables as the foundation of the modern digital economy.

“Submarine telecommunications cables are the invisible backbone of our digital world. They carry over 99 per cent of intercontinental data traffic and underpin financial systems, public institutions, and communications on which people, businesses, and governments depend every day. “When these services are disrupted, the consequences are immediate and significant. Communities can be isolated, emergency responses hindered, and trust in digital transformation shaken.
“In a digitally integrated world, the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure is an imperative of global development and cooperation,” She said.

According to the report, strengthening cable resilience requires coordinated action throughout the entire lifecycle of submarine cable systems from planning and deployment to protection, maintenance, repair and long-term adaptation.

The IAB, established jointly by the ITU and ICPC in 2024, brings together governments, regulators, industry leaders and technical experts to develop practical recommendations for protecting global connectivity infrastructure. Its latest report builds on the Abuja Declaration adopted in 2025 and the Porto Declaration of 2026, both of which committed countries to improving submarine cable resilience.

The report identifies three priority areas requiring immediate attention. These include streamlining regulatory approvals to accelerate cable deployment and repairs, strengthening risk identification and monitoring mechanisms, and promoting geographic diversity of cable routes and landing stations to minimise dependence on a few critical connections.

It noted that many countries continue to depend on a limited number of international cable systems, exposing them to significant risks whenever a cable is damaged by natural disasters, maritime activities or other incidents.

The report also recommends that governments designate clear national authorities responsible for submarine cable resilience, classify cable infrastructure as critical national infrastructure and improve coordination among regulators, operators and maritime agencies during emergencies.

Co-Chairs of the IAB, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and Portugal’s telecommunications regulator, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, said the recommendations provide governments and industry stakeholders with practical guidance to strengthen global digital infrastructure.

The report stated, “Enhancing connectivity, stimulating innovation, and promoting the resilience of submarine cables are multifaceted tasks that require collaboration among governments, industry, academia, and international organisations.”

It added, ”No region, country, or stakeholder can address the challenges we face alone. Cooperation is not an option; it is indispensable in an interconnected world.”

The IAB further urged governments, regulators, development partners and private investors to translate the recommendations into concrete policies and operational practices to safeguard the infrastructure underpinning the global digital economy.