How Submarine Cables Are Powering the Global Internet Age
The Internet is a widespread technology that is easily taken for granted. Over 5 billion people across all continents have access to the web, or roughly 68% of the global population. However, not many people think about the infrastructure that makes such worldwide connectivity possible unless it fails.
Despite the hype around satellite internet, submarine cables still handle most of it, corresponding to over 95% of global traffic volume. The Red Sea subsea infrastructure is one of the largest in the world, with over a dozen cables connecting the Middle East to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Though this infrastructure is out of sight, it shouldn’t be out of mind.
Dubai knows it very well, relying on it to build its smart cities, improve its financial connectivity, and guarantee daily internet usage. In this context, the reliability of submarine cable manufacturing is paramount.
What Are Submarine Cables And How Are They Made
Submarine cable are the backbone of the global internet, with long fiber-optic cables (eventually, power transmission cables) crawling through the sea floor connecting all continents. They can lie on the seabed in deep waters, but are buried in shallow waters to prevent accidents and damage caused by ship anchors.
Subsea cables have two main functions: reliably transmitting light through the fibers and powering repeater stations. It all starts with manufacturing the high-purity silica glass covering the raw optical fibers and carrying the light.
The cable is finished with a buffer, a protective coating that will significantly increase its diameter. Typically, subsea cables are between 50 km and 250 km long, which can be easily integrated into any network.
Contractors worldwide rely on the MFL Group and its 125 years of expertise in extrusion machinery, wire drawing, and standing-screening-armoring, ensured by its fully equipped production plants. Recently, the MFL Group has partnered with the Prysmian Group, a global leader in the cable industry, to create the largest copper annealer so far for telecoms and energy providers, following the century-long tradition of innovation and excellence.
Advanced Extrusion Technologies and the Role of Innovation
The extrusion process is a vital step in subsea cable manufacturing. After all, they must be water-tight and highly resistant to wear and tear. During extrusion, cables are insulated by a jacket-forming process that will protect them against pressure, saltwater corrosion, and mechanical damage.
Far and wide, the MFL Group can provide Golf manufacturers with the best equipment for high-precision tasks and, better still, outstanding energy efficiency. It means environmentally friendly technologies and cost-effective operations.
Dubai’s Digital Future And Why Manufacturing Matters
Dubai is strategically positioned in the global connectivity map, turning it into a crossroads between East and West.
As worldwide communication and the economy rely more heavily on the internet, the need for robust and energy-efficient cables becomes greater. Indeed, Dubai is ready to raise its investments in digital infrastructure to the next level, and the MFL Group is ready to provide all the required support.
