Submarine Cable Refresh Cycle Approaches

With the caveat that "where" a fiber or cable is makes a huge difference, we are approaching a couple-year period where existing cables laid 10 to 12 years ago will reach 50 percent of capacity.

That will be a trigger for laying replacement cables.

If you assume a 20-year useful life for new optical fibers put into service, then irrespective of loading, service providers would have to begin thinking about replacement as a matter of course.

Some suppliers will argue they can enhance the useful life of such fibers. Susan Vandament, XK director of business development, for example, says her firm has tested older fibers and found its gear could boost performance above what one might expect. If that proves to be the case for older cables, submarine cable network providers might squeeze a bit more life out of existing cables.

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