“Submarine cables account for over 99% of intercontinental information site visitors” is repeatedly quoted within the press with no supply given.
It’s time for some fact-checking.
Attending to the Supply
Whereas digging into the origin of this fantasy, I used to be capable of finding one occasion the place a supply was given. It was accredited to us, TeleGeography.
The quotation linked to our Submarine Cable FAQs web page, which states: “Statistics launched by U.S. Federal Communications Fee point out that satellites account for simply 0.37% of all U.S. worldwide capability.”
We’re solely speaking about U.S. worldwide capability right here—not the entire international capability—and in relation to satellites.
I made a decision to go to the FCC’s web site subsequent.
Beneath, you’ll see a screenshot from the FCC’s Circuit Standing Report web page and a listing of the studies that they provide.
The newest information is for 2013, launched in 2015. It’s nearly 10 years previous now; not an excellent supply.
There’s no new information as a result of the FCC modified the reporting requirement and satellite tv for pc operators don’t need to report their circuits anymore. In order that’s a dead-end for us, sadly.
Different Methods To Take a look at This Fantasy
The Conclusion
So, do submarine cables account for over 99% of intercontinental information site visitors?
We will affirm that that is true. Nevertheless, we are able to’t do exact calculations with out information for intercontinental satellite tv for pc site visitors.
Tim Stronge and I tackled this fantasy and 5 others throughout our presentation at SubOptic 2023. Obtain our slides for the total breakdown.
