According to RETN, an independent global network services provider, recent diagnostics indicate that the cable cuts in the Red Sea in February 2024 resulted in even greater disruption than initially thought. While it was first estimated that the cuts affected 25% of data traffic between Europe and Asia, the company now suggests that the actual figure is closer to 70%.

Through their own network assessments and customer feedback from major ISPs in Southeast Asia, RETN has published a report titled “Building the Networks of Tomorrow: Engineering Reliability for Long-Term Success.” This report highlights the critical need for a more robust global network infrastructure.

“We are at a pivotal moment where the existing network architecture is not sufficient to handle the demands of an increasingly interconnected world,” stated RETN’s CEO Tony O’Sullivan in the report.

He emphasized that geopolitical factors like the ongoing instability in regions such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Malacca, alongside natural disasters and cybersecurity threats, pose significant risks to global network integrity.

The incidents of cable damage in these areas highlighted the risks associated with depending on single points of failure for essential data traffic, underscoring the necessity of having multiple network paths to prevent extensive disruptions.

“If the few cables that link entire countries are compromised, they could face digital isolation,” he noted in the report.

O’Sullivan emphasized the importance of making long-term investments to bolster network resilience.

“It’s crucial to establish a variety of routes and to create a network design that can quickly adapt during prolonged outages on specific paths,” he elaborated. “Additionally, it involves careful capacity planning to avoid operating your network at its maximum capacity continually.”

According to O’Sullivan, the industry’s emphasis on cost reduction and short-term strategies has rendered it susceptible to risks. He pointed out the dependence on only a couple of ultra-high capacity cables primarily operated by over-the-top (OTT) providers like major technology firms, which have distinct network needs compared to traditional telecom companies.

This lack of infrastructure diversity has heightened the potential for significant disruptions, he further noted.

In response to these vulnerabilities, RETN has increased the number of network routes it employs, particularly in areas with elevated geopolitical risks, such as the Red Sea and Southeast Asia.

“We are expanding the number of network routes across all regions, with particular attention to those associated with greater risks,” he explained.

According to O’Sullivan, the company’s approach is centered on not just expanding subsea cable systems but also making significant investments in terrestrial routes. “Whenever feasible, we also invest significantly in terrestrial routes alongside subsea paths, even though it incurs additional costs, as our primary focus is on enhancing network performance rather than minimizing expenses,” he stated.

Additionally, the company is exploring a diversified network strategy aimed at improving network resilience by facilitating efficient traffic rerouting during disruptions. “We are looking into not just path diversity in the standard sense of ‘these two paths differ’ but also ensuring they ideally traverse distinct regions with varying risk profiles,” he elaborated.

Further insights on subsea cables:

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