The International Telecommunication Union (ITU),and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience, promoting best practices for governments and industry players to ensure the timely deployment and maintenance of these cables.
Dec 17, 2024
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Agency for Digital Technologies, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the leading industry organisation promoting submarine cable protection, have formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to strengthen the resilience of this vital telecommunication infrastructure.
The advisory body will address ways to improve cable resilience by promoting best practices for governments and industry players to ensure the timely deployment and repair of submarine cables, reduce the risks of damage, and enhance the continuity of communications over the cable.
Watch: Top Cable Companies in India
The submarine cables carry over 99 percent of international data exchanges, making their resilience a global imperative,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The advisory body will mobilize expertise from around the world to ensure this vital digital infrastructure remains resilient in the face of disasters, accidents, and other risks.”
The advisory body has 40 members including ministers, heads of regulatory authorities, industry executives, and senior experts on the operations of telecommunication cables.
It is co-chaired by H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Portugal.
“Submarine cables are essential to the functioning of our connected world, but they face risks that require coordinated, proactive action,” said Minister Tijani. “Therefore, we are happy to host the inaugural Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to be held in Nigeria in early 2025.”
Also Read: Transrail Lighting Announces INR 839 Crore IPO
“This initiative underscores the global community’s commitment to strengthening these networks and advancing international cooperation for digital resilience,” said Prof. Maximiano.
The advisory body will meet at least two times a year and will consult with experts on telecommunications, digital resilience infrastructure development, infrastructure investment and international policy to provide strategic guidance and encourage sector-wide collaboration. Dr.Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), will represent India in the 40-member international advisory body.
