…Nigeria’s Dr. Tijani To Serve As Body’s Co-Chairman
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), has formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to strengthen the resilience of the increasingly expansive global telecommunication infrastructure.
The Submarine telecommunication cables are the backbone of global communications infrastructure responsible for transmitting most of the world’s Internet traffic and enabling critical services across networks, including commerce, financial transactions, government activities, digital health and education.
According to the ITU, the Advisory Body will address ways to improve cable resilience by promoting best practices for all telecoms space stakeholders to ensure the timely deployment and repair of submarine cables, reduce the risks of damage, and enhance the continuity of communications over the cables.
Commenting on the initiative, ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Submarine cables carry over 99 per cent of international data exchanges, making their resilience a global imperative. 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.”
In his remarks, ICPC Chair, Graham Evans, enthused: “The formation of this International Advisory Body with ITU marks another step toward safeguarding our global digital infrastructure
“By working together, we can promote best practices, foster international collaboration, and create a consistent approach to protect the vital submarine cable networks that underpin global connectivity”, Evans added.
The ICPC noted that damage to submarine cables remained a serious challenge to telecom services globally with an average of 150 to 200 faults occurring each year and requiring about three cable repairs per week
It attributed the primary causes of damage to the cables as including accidental human activity, such as fishing and anchoring, alongside natural hazards, abrasion and equipment failure.
According to the ITU, the Advisory Body’s 40 members comprise Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and senior experts on the operations of telecommunication cables drawn from all world regions, ensuring diversity and inclusion from countries ranging from small island states to leading economies.
The Advisory Body is co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Portugal (ANACOM) Prof. Sandra Maximiano.
In his comments, Tijani said: “Submarine cables are essential to the functioning of our connected world, but they face risks that require coordinated, proactive action. Therefore, we are happy to host the inaugural Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to be held in Nigeria in early 2025.”
Also, the ANACOM Chairman noted that the “initiative underscores the global community’s commitment to strengthening these networks and advancing international cooperation for digital resilience.”
The ITU disclosed that the Advisory Body would meet at least twice yearly and consult with experts on telecommunications, digital resilience infrastructure development, infrastructure investment and international policy to provide strategic guidance and encourage sector-wide collaboration.
Already, the maiden virtual meeting of the Advisory Body had been scheduled for December 2024, while the first physical meeting is proposed to take place during the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit, planned for late February 2025 in Nigeria.
