Are There Internet Cables Under the Ocean?

[caldris_point]

I’ve always been curious—are there internet cables under the ocean that connect countries and continents? How do these underwater cables work, and how reliable are they for global internet connectivity? If anyone knows how this system actually functions, please explain.

 

[thalvion]

Yes, there absolutely are massive fiber-optic cables laid across the ocean floor. They carry around 95% of global internet traffic. Satellites are mostly used for backup or remote areas. These cables use light signals to transmit data at incredibly high speeds, and they’re protected by multiple layers. Surprisingly, they’re very reliable and monitored constantly.

 

[cyrenox]

Are There Internet Cables Under the Ocean? Yes, and they are far more critical than most people realize. These submarine fiber-optic cables are engineered with steel armoring, waterproof insulation, and repeaters every 50–100 km to boost signals. Network operators monitor them 24/7, and specialized repair ships can fix breaks within days, minimizing disruption.

 

[lucienvaros]

When I first learned about this, it honestly blew my mind. I thought everything was bouncing around in space via satellites. Turns out the ocean floor is basically a giant data highway. It’s kind of wild to think your video call might be traveling under thousands of miles of water.

 

[kaelthorne]

Yep. Sharks, whales, and the occasional confused octopus are basically guarding the internet. Jokes aside, it’s hilarious how futuristic the internet feels, yet it depends on long cables lying quietly on the ocean floor like it’s 1999 technology with a glow-up.

 

[noctivarx]

People often ask, Are There Internet Cables Under the Ocean? because it sounds fragile—but it’s not. I’ve worked adjacent to telecom infrastructure, and cable outages are rare. Most failures come from fishing trawlers or ship anchors, not natural disasters. Redundant routes ensure traffic is rerouted almost instantly.

 

[elioraven]

Are There Internet Cables Under the Ocean? Nope, obviously the internet is powered by vibes, clouds, and Elon’s Wi-Fi beams from space. In reality, it’s miles of extremely expensive cables that countries quietly depend on every single second—until someone drops an anchor in the wrong spot.

 

[AlexSmith]

Yes. The ocean has thousands of fiber-optic cables that transport approximately 99 percent of the worldwide data of the internet and phone traffic between continents. They are buried on the sea floor and they are serviced by global telecommunication firms.