Includes index.

The development of submarine cables / Stewart Ash -- The submarine cable industry : how does it work? / Mick Green -- Overview of the international legal regime governing submarine cables / Douglas Burnett, Tara Davenport, and Robert Beckman -- The planning and surveying of submarine cable routes / Graham Evans and Monique Page -- The manufacture and laying of submarine cables / Keith Ford-Ramsden and Tara Davenport -- Submarine cable repair and maintenance / Keith Ford-Ramsden and Douglas Burnett -- The relationship between submarine cables and the marine environment / Lionel Carter, Douglas Burnett, and Tara Davenport -- Out-of-service submarine cables / Douglas Burnett -- Protecting cableships engaged in cable operations / Mick Green and Douglas Burnett -- Submarine cables and natural hazards / Lionel Carter -- Protecting submarine cables from competing uses / Bob Wargo and Tara Davenport -- Protecting submarine cables from intentional damage-the security gap / Robert Beckman -- Submarine power cables / Malcolm Eccles, Joska Ferencz, and Douglas Burnett -- Marine scientific research cables / Lionel Carter and Alfred H.A. Soons -- Military cables / J. Ashley Roach -- Submarine cables and offshore energy / Wayne F. Nielsen and Tara Davenport -- Appendix 1. Timeline of the submarine cable industry -- Appendix 2. Major submarine system suppliers (1850-2012) -- Appendix 3. excerpts of most relevant treaty provisions.

Submarine fiber optic cables are critical communications infrastructure for States around the world. They are laid on the seabed, are often no bigger than a garden hose, and transmit immense amounts of data across oceans. These cables are the backbone of the internet and phone services and underpin core State interests, such as the finance sector, shipping, commerce and banking industries. Without the capacity to transmit and receive data via submarine cables, the economic security of States would be severely compromised. Despite the fact that 95 per cent of all data and telecommunications between States are transmitted via submarine cables, there is little understanding of how these cables operate. As a result some States have developed policies and laws that undermine the integrity of international telecommunications systems. Submarine Cables: The Handbook of Law and Policy provides a one-stop-shop of essential information relating to the international governance of submarine cables. The Handbook is a unique collaboration between international lawyers and experts from the submarine cable industry. It provides a practical insight into the law and policy issues that affect the protection of submarine cables, as well as the laying, maintenance and operation of such cables. In addition, the law and policy issues in relation to other special purpose cables, such as power cables, marine scientific research cables, military cables, and offshore energy cables, are also addressed.

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