Jeddah: A Global Subsea Cable Hub

Geometry of the Location: Depths, Shores, Shipping

Jeddah, situated on the Red Sea coast, is a critical hub for the global submarine communication infrastructure. The region's unique geography plays a pivotal role in shaping the layout of undersea cables, forcing them to converge in a narrow corridor. This convergence is driven by a combination of natural and economic factors. Firstly, the relatively shallow areas of the Red Sea provide optimal depths for cable laying, avoiding the exorbitant costs associated with deep-sea installations. These shallow waters ensure easier maintenance and reduced risks during cable deployment. Secondly, the shores of Saudi Arabia, particularly near Jeddah, offer a stable geological platform ideal for constructing cable landing stations. The absence of significant tectonic activity further enhances the reliability of this location. Lastly, the Red Sea serves as a vital artery for global trade, hosting one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. This route connects Europe with Asia via the Suez Canal, amplifying the strategic importance of Jeddah not only as a communication hub but also as a logistical nexus.

What's Crowded: 18 Cables in One Corridor

The Jeddah area is home to an extraordinary concentration of submarine cables, with 18 major systems converging to connect Europe, Asia, and Africa. This dense network includes some of the world's most significant cables, such as 2Africa, which spans 45,000 km and links 33 countries, making it one of the longest and most ambitious cable systems ever constructed. FLAG Europe-Asia, another major player, stretches 28,000 km and directly connects Europe and Asia. Other prominent cables passing through this corridor include Asia Africa Europe-1 (AAE-1, 25,000 km), PEACE Cable (25,000 km), SeaMeWe-5 (20,000 km), SeaMeWe-4 (20,000 km), and IMEWE (12,091 km). These systems collectively provide internet connectivity to dozens of countries, including Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Italy, South Africa, India, and China. Even shorter cables, such as Saudi Arabia-Sudan-1 (333 km) and Saudi Arabia-Sudan-2 (330 km), play vital roles in regional traffic distribution, ensuring seamless communication between neighboring nations.

Alternative Corridors: Why They Don't Help

While alternative routes for submarine cables exist, they are fraught with challenges that make them less viable compared to the Jeddah corridor. Southern routes, which bypass the Red Sea via the Indian Ocean, significantly increase cable lengths, leading to higher installation costs and greater signal latency. This added distance can degrade the quality of real-time applications like video conferencing and online gaming. Northern paths, such as those through Turkey, Russia, or even Arctic waters, face their own set of obstacles, including geopolitical instability, extreme climatic conditions, and logistical complexities. For instance, icy waters in the Arctic pose significant risks to cable-laying operations, while political tensions in certain regions can jeopardize infrastructure security. Consequently, the Jeddah corridor remains the most practical and efficient option for connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Breakage Scenario Step-by-Step

In the event of a major cable break in the Jeddah area, the global internet infrastructure would face immediate challenges. During the initial hours, traffic would be rerouted through alternative operational routes, leading to a noticeable increase in latency (RTT) and reduced bandwidth. For example, users in Europe accessing resources in Asia might experience response times that are two to three times longer than usual. Over the next few days, operators would activate backup routes, such as detours through South Africa or longer paths via the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. While these temporary solutions can mitigate the impact, they are not designed to handle the full volume of traffic, potentially causing congestion and slower internet speeds. Repairing damaged cables is a complex process that can take several days to weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and prevailing weather conditions for cable-laying ships.

What GeoCables Monitors

GeoCables actively monitors the Jeddah region, ensuring the stability and performance of all 18 submarine cables passing through this critical chokepoint. Our systems continuously track latency (RTT) and detect anomalies, such as cable breaks or fluctuations in connection quality. Over the past 30 days, GeoCables recorded three notable deviations in cable performance within this zone, underscoring the importance of vigilant monitoring. Additionally, we observe vessel movements in the area, as anchors and fishing trawlers remain significant threats to submarine infrastructure. By providing real-time data and insights, GeoCables enables cable operators and internet service providers to respond swiftly to incidents, ensuring minimal disruption to global connectivity.