Listen: Telstra on the importance of subsea cables for connectivity

Telecommunications company Telstra is using infrastructure such as subsea cables to provide connectivity and expand its global market, particularly in the Americas.

Noah Drake, president and managing director of Telstra Americas, joins Connectivity Business News’ podcast, “The Dish,” to discuss what the Melbourne, Australia-based company is doing to expand its presence in the Americas and why subsea cables remain critical for intercontinental connectivity even as satcom connectivity takes off.

“Even today, 99% of intercontinental connectivity still rides submarine cable systems,” Drake said. “We [Telstra] have a meaningful ownership in about 70% of those systems that connect the U.S. to Asia.”

There are 552 active and planned subsea cables that have been tracked, according to telecommunications research market company TeleGeography.

Cables in service globally total approximately 1.4 million kilometers, according to TeleGeography.

Subsea cables are part of Telstra’s goal of simplifying communications across the Pacific, Drake said. The company in February 2022 was awarded a contract of undisclosed value by satellite operator Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) to supply the ground network for the Asia-Pacific portion its multi-terabit ViaSat-3 network and in July 2022, Telstra acquired Caribbean network provider Digicel Pacific for $270 million.

Drake previously told CBN that enterprises are now demanding more options when it comes to network infrastructure, whether for a satellite, broadband, fixed-line or hybrid network, and Telstra is enhancing its product portfolio to address these needs.

Telstra is also focused on talent acquisition and bringing in young industry leaders like Drake to keep up with the disruptive industry.

Tune in to “The Dish” to learn more about subsea cables, Telstra’s strategy for expanding its market in the Americas and the importance of keeping the communications industry current.