The vast network of submarine cables forms the invisible backbone of global communication, carrying essential data for commerce, security, and daily life. Stretching over 1.2 million kilometers and transmitting 98% of the world’s digital data, these cables enable everything from financial transactions to streaming services. However, their strategic importance also makes them a potential target for disruption—a reality brought to the forefront by recent incidents in the Baltic Sea.

During its participation as a Digital Infrastructure Founding Partner of the first edition of the Connected World KSA conference hosted in Riyadh, Mobily, a leading innovator in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators.

Isle Au Haut has installed its first subsea telecommunications cable, bringing the long-term vision of access to universal broadband internet to this unbridged, year-round island community for the very first time. The 10km submarine cable now connects Isle au Haut to Stonington on Deer Isle, which links to the mainland through terrestrial connections.

The United States will provide up to USD 6.6 billion in direct funding to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) for advanced chip-making facilities in Arizona, as part of the CHIPS Act initiative. This agreement marks a major step in boosting the domestic semiconductor industry.

Cirion Technologies announced a new wholly-diverse and resilient Atlantic subsea route, expected to be ready for service in Q1 2025, expanding fiber connectivity between Latin America and North America.

Bell Canada has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ziply Fiber in a deal valued at approximately CAD 7 billion. The transaction includes CAD 5 billion in cash and the assumption of around CAD 2 billion in net debt, which will be rolled over at closing.

Conexon Connect recently celebrated its first customer connections in underserved areas of rural Wayne County and is expanding its high-speed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network throughout Missouri. Currently, the ISP is poised to reach more than 30,000 rural homes and businesses in its headquarters state of Missouri.

AT&T announced a multi-year purchase agreement with Corning to provide next-generation fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions that will support AT&T’s fiber network expansion and help bring high-speed internet to more Americans.

EXA Infrastructure launched its Managed Fiber Network (MFN) service to address market demands for increased connectivity and shorter service delivery times. This dedicated offering represents a turn-key solution that outsources the design, installation, and maintenance of fiber networks for customers who do not possess these capabilities in-house or in-region.

Sparkle, a global player in the submarine cable industry with a strong presence in the Americas, will collaborate as a new partner with Liberty Networks and Gold Data on the construction and commercialization of MANTA—the new pan-regional subsea cable system.