Europe’s Undersea Cables Get Smart and Self-Aware

Smart subsea cables are helping Europe predict failures and cut outages, blending data flow with real-time sensing.

10 Jul 2025

Europe is moving to upgrade its undersea digital infrastructure with new technology designed to predict failures before they occur. The ECSTATIC project, backed by industry players and researchers, is introducing real-time monitoring systems to submarine cables to improve reliability and reduce outages.

The technology enables fibre-optic cables, which already carry internet traffic, to also serve as vibration sensors. These sensors detect underwater seismic activity and vessel movements without affecting data transmission. Early trials in the Mediterranean Sea have identified disturbances in real time, offering operators early warnings of potential damage.

Sparkle, a major European cable operator, has deployed the system along Italy’s coast in collaboration with academic and technology partners. The company said the system would allow for faster detection of faults, helping to minimise repair costs and service interruptions.

The adoption of predictive monitoring comes as European authorities increase regulatory oversight of digital infrastructure security. Rising demand for uninterrupted internet services has pushed operators to seek more resilient networks.

Nokia is supplying analytics tools for the project, which help differentiate between harmless marine activity and genuine risks. The company said this would enable operators to act more quickly to prevent cable failures.

While installing the system on existing cables could present technical difficulties, industry analysts expect the benefits to outweigh the costs. “This is a turning point,” said one telecoms expert, adding that operators are shifting “from reactive fixes to proactive protection.”

The ECSTATIC project reflects a broader trend towards smarter infrastructure across Europe’s digital backbone. With further deployments planned, operators are preparing for a future where undersea cables provide early warnings of faults, contributing to more stable and secure connectivity across the region.