These cables, composed of optical fibers encased in protective layers, stretch across oceanic floors, linking major economic centers worldwide. Data moves through these fiber strands at speeds approaching that of light, minimizing latency and ensuring seamless digital. Fibre-optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) is a 28,000-kilometre-long (17,398 mi; 15,119 nmi) fibre optic mostly- submarine communications cable that connects the United Kingdom, Japan, India, and many places in between. The cable is operated by Global Cloud Xchange, a former subsidiary of RCOM. This visualization shows the growth of the undersea cable network, global internet peering capacity, and the distribution of IP addresses via BGP announcements over time. Use the controls at the top to play the animation or step through year by year. From undersea depths to land-based networks, they provide the lifeline for our digital society. These cables are the backbone of the global internet, carrying the bulk of international communications, including email, webpages and video. Subsea cables serve as critical infrastructure in global power transmission and communications networks, connecting isolated communities to the outside world. What is a Submarine (Subsea) Fiber Optic Cable? Submarine fiber optic cables carry over 99% of international data traffic.