Submarine Cable Resilience Advisory Board Announced Amid Repairs

New submarine cable resilience advisory board launched amid repair of damaged cable. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) announced a 40-member advisory board aimed at enhancing the resilience of submarine telecommunication cables, which are crucial for global data exchange. This initiative comes on the heels of a repaired cable suspected to have been damaged by a Chinese ship, although most cable faults are attributed to accidental human activities. The board will promote best practices for timely repairs and risk reduction, with its inaugural meeting scheduled for early 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of these cables, which carry over 99% of international data, highlighting the need for improved security and international regulations to prevent intentional damage.