Undersea cables in the Pacific Islands region

On the ocean floor lie cables that look like water hoses. Through these cables, internet data flows between islands or continents. Sometimes even telephone call signals go through such cables.

Communication researcher with the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University, Dr Amanda H A Watson, was invited to participate in a project on undersea cables funded by the Japan Foundation and led by Dr Kristi Govella. Project participants convened in Hawai‘i to share their draft papers and refine their arguments.

The project has generated two sets of outputs, accessible at the links below, which address both policy issues and theoretical matters.

Dr Govella guest edited a special issue of the academic journal Marine Policy on undersea cables. Her introduction to the special edition describes risks to undersea cables and analyses the latest trends. Dr Watson’s article foregrounds the views expressed by Pacific leaders through communiques and other outputs of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Two other articles in the special edition focus on geographic areas: Southeast Asia and India. Further articles explore particular topics related to undersea cables, such as an assessment of the risks posed by uncrewed underwater vehicles, an analysis of the Quad’s approach in recent years, and an historical review of cable competition from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century.

The second set of outputs from the project was a series of short policy papers, again on undersea cables. For example, Ms Hayley Channer of the University of Sydney interviewed cable industry executives and summarised their views in her paper.

While exploration of issues related to undersea cables may seem to be a niche area to some, the project has generated resources addressing contemporary trends regarding policy, practice and theory.

🔗 Click here to view the special issue of Marine Policy on undersea cables.

🔗 Click here to access short policy papers on undersea cables (under the ‘Policy Reports’ heading).