https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Fibre-optic_Link_Around_the_GlobeFibre-optic Link Around the Globe - Revision history2026-11-02T11:37:19ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fibre-optic_Link_Around_the_Globe&diff=499067&oldid=prevSusannahParish: Adding New Post...2026-03-11T04:34:53Z<p>Adding New Post...</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|RCOM-run US-Europe-Japan telecommunications network}}{{Too specialized|date=May 2024}}<br />
<br />
{{Use British English Oxford spelling|date=December 2019}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox company<br />
|logo = FLAG Telecom logo 2003.gif<br />
|logo_caption = Logo from 2003<br />
|foundation = 1999<br />
|industry = [[Telecommunication]]<br />
|owner = [[Global Cloud Xchange]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Fibre-optic Link Around the Globe''' ('''FLAG''') is a {{convert|28000|km|mi nmi|0|adj=mid|-long|lk=out}} [[optical fibre|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]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telecomreviewasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=589:global-cloud-xchange-plans-new-india-singapore-cable&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=232 |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219183139/http://www.telecomreviewasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=589:global-cloud-xchange-plans-new-india-singapore-cable&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=232 |archive-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> currently owned by [[3i Infrastructure]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Acquisition of Global Cloud Xchange Successfully Completed by 3i Infrastructure plc |url=https://gcxworld.com/acquisition-of-global-cloud-xchange-successfully-completed-by-3i-infrastructure-plc/ |access-date=11 March 2026}}</ref> The system runs from the eastern coast of [[North America]] to Japan.<ref name=Wired>{{Cite magazine|title=Mother Earth Mother Board|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=December 1996|author=Neal Stephenson|author-link=Neal Stephenson|volume=4|issue=12|url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.12/ffglass.html|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> Its Europe–Asia segment was the fourth longest cable in the world in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The internet's undersea world|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 February 2008|url=http://image.Guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Technology/Pix/pictures/2008/02/01/SeaCableHi.jpg|access-date=16 October 2017}}</ref><br />
<br />
The Europe–Asia segment was laid by [[Cable & Wireless Marine]] in the mid-1990s, and was the subject of an article in ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine in December 1996 by [[Neal Stephenson]].<ref name=Wired/><br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
The FLAG cable system was first placed into commercial service in late 1997.<ref name="bonds">{{Cite web|title=Prospectus|author=FLAG Telecom Holdings|date=16 May 2000|publisher=[[US Securities and Exchange Commission]]|url=https://www.SEC.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1102752/000091205700024976/0000912057-00-024976.txt|access-date=6 October 2013}}</ref> FLAG offered a speed of 10&nbsp;Gbit/s, and uses [[synchronous digital hierarchy]] technology. It carries over 120,000 voice channels via {{convert|27000|km|mi nmi|0|abbr=off}} of mostly undersea cable. FLAG uses [[erbium-doped fibre amplifier]]s, and was jointly supplied by AT&T Submarine Systems and KDD-Submarine Cable Systems. Its design, development, installation, and service conformed to [[ISO 9000]] quality standards. FLAG provided a link between the European end of high-density transatlantic crossings and the Asian end of the transpacific crossings.<ref name=IEEE>{{Cite journal|last1=Welsh|first1=Thomas|last2=Smith|first2=Roger|last3=Azami|first3=Haruo|last4=Chrisner|first4=Raymond|title=The FLAG cable system|journal=[[IEEE Communications Magazine]]|volume=34|issue=2|pages=30–35|date=February 1996|doi=10.1109/35.481241}}</ref><br />
<br />
FLAG includes undersea cable segments, and two terrestrial crossings. The segments can be either direct point-to-point links, or multi-point links, which are attained through branching units. At each [[cable landing point]], a FLAG cable station is located. The total route length exceeds {{convert|27000|km|mi nmi|0|abbr=off}}, and comprises {{convert|1020|km|0|abbr=off}} of terrestrial crossings. Approximately {{convert|6600|km|mi nmi|0|abbr=off}} of the submerged cable is buried {{convert|1|m|0|abbr=off}} below the sea bed. Cable burial was performed by either a submersible plough as the cable was laid, or jetting the laid cable into the sea bed via [[remotely operated vehicle]]s (ROVs).<ref name=IEEE/><br />
<br />
Over several years, the route evolved as new branches and feeder systems were considered and realized. FLAG includes two terrestrial crossings, one in Egypt, and the other in Thailand. Each of these land crossings is totally duplicated on fully different routes. As a result, any fault within one route will cause automatic protection switching to the other route within a time period of less than 50&nbsp;ms.<ref name=IEEE/><br />
<br />
Like other global undersea networks, FLAG uses erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs). EDFAs boost the optical signals instead of the optical/electrical conversion, which is generally used in regenerative technology. These [[optical amplifiers]] use short, gain-specific lengths of fibre which are doped with erbium ions, and spliced in-line with the transmission fibre. The signal power is amplified by pumping the erbium-doped fibre (EDF) with 1,480&nbsp;nm laser light which is attached through an optical coupler. The majority of the repeater components are passive. These include EDF, fused-fibre optical couplers and optical isolators. Active components include laser pump assemblies, and associated controls. The total number of components within the repeater is less than that of regenerative systems.<ref name=IEEE/><br />
<br />
The FLAG terrestrial crossings do not contain repeaters for reliability reasons. The terminal stations in land crossings use optical amplifiers, high performance transmitter / receivers, and [[forward error correction]] to cross the large distances without repeaters. Amplification at the terminal output provides output signal power as high as +17&nbsp;dBm, and optical amplification at the receiver improves the receiver sensitivity as much as 8&nbsp;dB.<ref name=IEEE/>{{Clarify|date=March 2014|reason=Exactly what does this mean? Noise floor at +8, no errors at +8, or what? Seems 'deaf'. "As high as" is awkward for a receiver.}}<br />
<br />
The route between Alexandria and Cairo is {{convert|223|km|0|abbr=off}} long, and hence requires remote pumping in order to meet performance requirements. Remotely pumped amplifiers can be regarded as repeaters without active modules. This technology comprises short lengths of EDF spliced into the land cable. The erbium-doped sections are situated within the cable span, and are pumped by 1,480&nbsp;nm pump lasers which are based at the station.<ref name=IEEE/><br />
<br />
An upgrade to the network was announced in 2006, when the acronym was expanded to "Fibre Loop Across Globe" (FLAG).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fibre Loop Across Globe|work=Promotional slides|date=28 December 2006|publisher=[[FLAG Telecom]]|url=http://www.FlagTelecom.com/media/Network%20Files/Flag_Final_Dec28.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317035922/http://www.flagtelecom.com/media/Network%20Files/Flag_Final_Dec28.pdf|archive-date=17 March 2007|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref>{{Clarify|date=March 2014|reason=This doesn't make sense. Expanded from what? It was already FLAG.}}<br />
<br />
==Segments and landing points==<br />
[[Cable landing point]]s are:<br />
<br />
===Europe Asia===<br />
[[File:FLAG FEA map.svg|thumb|Map of FLAG Europe Asia|480px]]<br />
FLAG Europe Asia (FEA) was the first segment opened for commercial use on 22 November 1997.<ref name="bonds"/><ref name=reliance-map-FEA>[http://www.RelianceGlobalcom.com//RGCOM_CoverageMap.html Coverage map > cable systems > FEA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322132108/http://www.relianceglobalcom.com/RGCOM_CoverageMap.html |date=22 March 2014 }}, Reliance Globalcom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
*[[Porthcurno]] / [[Skewjack]], [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom<br />
*[[Estepona]], [[Málaga (province)|Málaga]], [[Andalusia]], Spain<br />
*[[Palermo]], [[Province of Palermo]], [[Sicily]], Italy<br />
*[[Alexandria]], [[Al Iskandariyah Governorate]], [[Egypt]]<br />
*[[Cairo]], Egypt<br />
*[[Suez]], [[As Suways Governorate]], Egypt<br />
*[[Aqaba]], [[Aqaba Governorate]], [[Jordan]]<br />
*[[Jeddah]], [[Makkah Province]], [[Saudi Arabia]]<br />
*[[Fujairah]], [[United Arab Emirates]]<br />
*[[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India<br />
*[[Penang]], [[Malaysia]], meeting [[SAFE (cable system)|SAFE]] and [[SEA-ME-WE 3 (cable system)|SEA-ME-WE 3]]<br />
*[[Satun]], [[Satun Province]], [[Thailand]]<br />
*[[Songkhla]], [[Songkhla province]], Thailand<br />
*[[Silvermine Bay]], [[Lantau Island]], [[Hong Kong]]<br />
*[[Nanhui District|Nanhui]], [[Shanghai]], China<br />
*[[Geoje|Keoje]], [[Gyeongsangnam-do|South Gyeongsang Province]], [[South Korea]]<br />
*[[Ninomiya, Kanagawa|Ninomiya]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], Japan<br />
*[[Miura, Kanagawa]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], Japan<br />
<br />
===Atlantic===<br />
The FLAG Atlantic 1 (FA-1) segment became operational in June 2001.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140316195033/http://sdc.flagtelecom.com/newsroom/NewsItem.asp?iNewsID=90 "FLAG Atlantic-1 enters commercial service"]}}, FLAG Telecom, 15 June 2001. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref> It was constructed as a [[joint venture]] between a FLAG Atlantic subsidiary of the parent company FLAG Telecom Holdings, and GTS Transatlantic. Alcatel Submarine Networks laid the undersea portion, and the entire cost was estimated at $1.1 billion.<ref name="bonds"/><ref name=reliance-map-FA-1>[http://www.RelianceGlobalcom.com//RGCOM_CoverageMap.html "Coverage map > cable systems > FA-1"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322132108/http://www.relianceglobalcom.com/RGCOM_CoverageMap.html |date=22 March 2014 }}, Reliance Globalcom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref><br />
<br />
*[[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States<br />
*[[Northport, New York|Northport]], [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]], New York, United States<br />
*[[Island Park, New York|Island Park]], [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]], New York, United States<br />
*[[Porthcurno]] / [[Skewjack]], [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom<br />
*[[London]], England, UK<br />
*[[Plérin]], [[Côtes-d'Armor]], [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]], France<br />
*[[Paris]], France<br />
<br />
In March 2013, an upgrade for the southerly link was announced to up to 100&nbsp;Gbit/s, with equipment from [[Ciena]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Reliance Globalcom upgrades Trans-Atlantic FA-1 south submarine network to 100G with Ciena's GeoMesh|work=Press release|date=14 March 2013|publisher=Ciena|url=http://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/Reliance-Globalcom-Upgrades-Trans-Atlantic-FA-1-South-Submarine-Network-to-100G-with-Cienas-GeoMesh.html|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-date=2 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502181505/http://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/Reliance-Globalcom-Upgrades-Trans-Atlantic-FA-1-South-Submarine-Network-to-100G-with-Cienas-GeoMesh.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
<br />
===FLAG Alcatel-Lucent Optical Network===<br />
The FLAG Alcatel-Lucent Optical Network (FALCON) cable system, connecting India and several countries in the [[Persian Gulf]], became operational in September 2006.<ref>[http://www.RelianceGlobalcom.com/history.html "History: 2006"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326143049/http://www.relianceglobalcom.com/history.html |date=26 March 2014 }}, Reliance Globalcom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref> It has landing points in:<ref name=reliance-map-FALCON>[http://www.RelianceGlobalcom.com/RGCOM_CoverageMap.html "Coverage map > cable systems > FALCON"], Reliance Globalcom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140203042441/http://sdc.flagtelecom.com/network/falcon.html "FALCON"]}}, FLAG Telecom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref><br />
*[[Suez]], [[As Suways Governorate]], [[Egypt]]<br />
*[[Aqaba]], [[Jordan]]<br />
*[[Jeddah]], [[Makkah Province]], [[Saudi Arabia]]<br />
*[[Port Sudan]], [[Sudan]]<br />
*[[Al Hudaydah]], [[Yemen]]<br />
*[[Al Ghaydah]], Yemen<br />
*Al Seeb, [[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]], [[Oman]]<br />
*[[Khasab]], Oman<br />
*[[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]]<br />
*Sumaisma, [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]<br />
*[[Manama]], [[Bahrain]]<br />
*[[Al Khobar]], [[Saudi Arabia]]<br />
*Al-Safat, [[Kuwait City]], [[Kuwait]]<br />
*[[Al-Faw]], [[Iraq]]<br />
*[[Bandar Abbas]], [[Iran]]<br />
*[[Chabahar]], Iran<br />
*[[Mumbai]], India<br />
<br />
There is an additional segment, listed as part of FALCON, but not directly connected. It has landing points in:<ref name=reliance-map-FALCON/><br />
*[[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[India]]<br />
*[[Hulhumalé|Hulumale]], [[Malé]], the [[Maldives]]<br />
*[[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]<br />
<br />
In 2006, [[Kenya Data Networks]] announced plans for a spur from Yemen to [[Mombasa]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=KDN pips EASSY to the post|website=MyBroadband.co.za|date=25 June 2006|url=http://MyBroadband.co.za/nephp/3304.html|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><br />
<br />
===FLAG North Asia Loop / Tiger===<br />
FLAG North Asia Loop (FNAL) / Tiger became operational in stages, with the final stages completed in 2002.<ref>[http://SubmarineNetworks.com/systems/intra-asia/fnal-rnal/flag-north-asian-loop-extends-service-into-korea-and-japan "Flag North Asian Loop extends service into Korea and Japan"], Submarine Cable Networks, 21 May 2002. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref> The FNAL landing points are:<ref name=reliance-map-FNAL>[http://www.RelianceGlobalcom.com//RGCOM_CoverageMap.html "Coverage map > cable systems > FNAL"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322132108/http://www.relianceglobalcom.com/RGCOM_CoverageMap.html |date=22 March 2014 }}, Reliance Globalcom. Retrieved 15 March 2014.</ref><br />
*[[Tong Fuk]], [[Lantau Island]], [[Hong Kong]]<br />
*[[Toucheng]], [[Yilan County, Taiwan|Yilan County]], [[Taiwan]]<br />
*[[Busan]], [[Yeongnam]], [[South Korea]]<br />
*[[Wada, Chiba|Wada]], [[Awa District, Chiba|Awa District]], [[Chiba Prefecture]], [[Japan]]<br />
<br />
West of Mumbai, FLAG has a capacity of 80&nbsp;[[gigabit|Gbit]]/s.<br />
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The segment between Lantau, Hong Kong, and Busan, South Korea was broken by the [[2006 Hengchun earthquake]].<br />
<br />
==Disruptions==<br />
===December 2006 and January 2007===<br />
The [[2006 Hengchun earthquake]] on 26 December 2006, off the southwest coast of [[Taiwan]], disrupted [[internet]] services in [[Asia]], affecting many Asian countries. Financial transactions, particularly financial transactions in foreign currencies were seriously affected as well.<ref name="ST20061230">{{cite web|title=網上銀行服務仍「斷纜」|url=http://www.singtao.com.hk/archive/fullstory.asp?andor=or&year1=2006&month1=12&day1=30&year2=2006&month2=12&day2=30&category=all&id=20061230a08|work=Singtao Daily (星島日報)|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105021016/http://www.singtao.com.hk/archive/fullstory.asp?andor=or&year1=2006&month1=12&day1=30&year2=2006&month2=12&day2=30&category=all&id=20061230a08|archive-date=5 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://hk.news.yahoo.com/061227/12/1yxbr.html 韓股匯市受挫港交易無礙 星洲期貨受影響 「彭博」電訊一度中斷] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518152250/http://hk.news.yahoo.com/061227/12/1yxbr.html |date=18 May 2007 }}, ''[[Ming Pao]]'', 28 December 2006 {{in lang|zh}} </ref> The disruption was caused by damage to several [[submarine communications cable]]s.<ref>[http://www.IntegratedNetworkCable.com/communications/the-unexpected-communications-snag "Quakes disrupt Asia communications"] Integrated Network Cable</ref><br />
<br />
===January and February 2008===<br />
{{see also|2008 submarine cable disruption}}<br />
On 30 January 2008, internet services were widely disrupted in the [[Middle East]] and in the [[Indian subcontinent]] following damage to the [[SEA-ME-WE 4]] and FLAG cables in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.CNN.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/31/dubai.outage/index.html|title=Internet failure hits two continents|website=CNN.com|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203141349/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/31/dubai.outage/index.html|archive-date=3 February 2008|access-date=1 February 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> [[BBC News Online]] reported 70% disruption in Egypt and 60% disruption in India.<ref name="BBC_News">{{cite news|title=Severed cables disrupt internet|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7218008.stm|website=news.BBC.co.uk|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=31 January 2008|access-date=31 January 2008}}</ref> Problems were reported in [[Bahrain]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Kuwait]], [[Pakistan]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], and [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cable break causes wide internet outage|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Internet-Outages.html|date=1 February 2008|author=The [[Associated Press]] via nytimes.com|access-date=1 February 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The respective contributions of the two cable systems to this [[Internet blackout|blackout]] is unclear. Network outage graphs suggest that the two breaks occurred at 04:30 and 08:00 [[UTC]].<ref name="Renesys">{{cite web|url=http://www.Renesys.com/blog/2008/01/mediterranean_cable_break_1.shtml#more|title=Mediterranean cable break|access-date=31 January 2008|last=Zmijewski|first=Earl|date=30 January 2008|work=Renesys blog|publisher=Renesys|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203133228/http://www.renesys.com/blog/2008/01/mediterranean_cable_break_1.shtml#more|archive-date=3 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />
<br />
The cause of the damage was not declared by either cable operator, but news sources speculated the damage was caused by a ship's [[anchor]] near [[Alexandria]].<ref name="BBC_News"/><ref name="TOI">{{Cite news|title=Cable damage hits internet connectivity|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=31 January 2008|date=31 January 2008|website=TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cable-damage-hits-Internet-connectivity/articleshow/2745082.cms|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023061533/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-31/india/27757001_1_cable-damage-hits-internet-undersea-cables-internet-users|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[Agence France-Presse]], the [[Politics of Kuwait|Kuwaiti government]] attributed the breaks to "weather conditions and maritime traffic".<ref name="AFP">{{Cite news|title=Indian outsourcing sector hit by internet disruption|work=AFP|access-date=31 January 2008|date=31 January 2008|url=https://afp.Google.com/article/ALeqM5gadarOY4frbM-XSyXS0_wMfxpHig|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203184552/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gadarOY4frbM-XSyXS0_wMfxpHig|archive-date=3 February 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the damage occurred to the two systems separately near Alexandria and near [[Marseille]].<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|issn=0362-4331|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=2 communication cables in the mediterranean are cut|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=31 January 2008|date=31 January 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31cable.html?ref=business}}</ref> Egypt knew of "no passing ships" near Alexandria which has restricted waters.<ref name=Brauer>{{cite news|author=Brauer, David|title=High-tech mystery: are terrorists behind recent internet disruptions?|url=http://www.MinnPost.com/stories/2008/02/04/771/high-tech_mystery_are_terrorists_behind_recent_internet_disruptions|website=MinnPost.com|publisher=MinnPost|date=4 February 2008|access-date=4 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207074247/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/02/04/771/high-tech_mystery_are_terrorists_behind_recent_internet_disruptions|archive-date=7 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
<br />
One day later, on 1 February 2008, the FALCON cable was also reported cut {{convert|56|km|mi nmi|0|abbr=off}} off Dubai.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Update on submarine cable cut|work=Daily Bulletin|publisher=Flag Telecom|date=6 February 2008|url=http://www.FlagTelecom.com/index.cfm?channel=4328&NewsID=27492|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219061824/http://www.flagtelecom.com/index.cfm?channel=4328&NewsID=27492|archive-date=19 February 2008|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.CNN.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/internet.outage/index.html|work=[[CNN]]|title=Third undersea internet cable cut in mideast|date=1 February 2008|access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> The first of two repair ships was in place by 5 February.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Work begins to repair severed net|date=5 February 2008|website=news.BBC.co.uk|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7228315.stm|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><br />
<br />
===December 2008===<br />
On 19 December 2008, internet services were widely disrupted in the [[Middle East]], and in the [[Indian subcontinent]], following damage to the [[SEA-ME-WE 4]], [[SEA-ME-WE 3]], and FLAG FEA cables in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name=BBC20081219>{{cite news|title=Severed cable disrupts net access|website=news.BBC.co.uk|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=19 December 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7792688.stm|access-date=21 December 2008}}</ref><br />
<br />
It is not known what caused these multiple breaks, however, there was seismic activity in the Malta area shortly before the breaks were identified,<ref name=BBC20081219/> although it is thought that the damage may have been caused by a ship's anchor or trawler net.<ref name=BBC20081223>{{cite news|title=Third subsea cable repairs begin|website=news.BBC.co.uk|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=23 December 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7797162.stm|access-date=27 December 2008}}</ref><br />
<br />
According to FEA Cable System of Reliance Globalcom, the failure lay between [[Alexandria]] and [[Palermo]]. Reliance Globalcom completed the repair on the FLAG EUROPE ASIA (FEA) cable on 29 December 2008, at 14:15 GMT. Customer services that were affected due to the cable cut have been restored back normal with the completion of repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iglobalcom.relianceglobalcom.com/iglobalcom/cableupdate.html |title=Reliance Globalcom cable update page |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103005834/http://www.iglobalcom.relianceglobalcom.com/iglobalcom/cableupdate.html |archive-date=3 January 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><br />
<br />
===August 2009===<br />
Damage to FNAL caused by [[Typhoon Morakot (2009)|Typhoon Morakot]] was reported as affecting internet traffic to China on 18 August 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Damage to undersea cables disrupts int'l telecom services|publisher=Xinhua|date=18 August 2009|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/18/content_11904208.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826140635/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/18/content_11904208.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 August 2009|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><br />
<br />
===January 2020===<br />
On 9 January 2020, [[Yemen]]’s FALCON connection was cut, causing an 80% drop in that nation’s capacity. [[Kuwait]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Sudan]], [[Ethiopia]] all felt major effects from the same cut, and to a lesser extent [[Comoros]] and [[Tanzania]].<ref name="2020-01-13_Wired">[https://www.wired.com/story/yemen-internet-blackout-undersea-cable/ Cut Undersea Cable Plunges Yemen Into Days-Long Internet Outage: The fragility of global internet infrastructure has left the entire Red Sea region struggling to connect.], Lily Hay Newman, [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]], 2020-01-13</ref><br />
<br />
==GCHQ interception==<br />
In [[2014 in the United Kingdom|2014]], it was revealed that [[Skewjack]] was the location of the [[Government Communications Headquarters]] (GCHQ) interception point on the Reliance Communications international fibre link, copying data to [[GCHQ Bude]], as part of GCHQ's [[Mastering the Internet]] project.<ref name=c4n-20141120>{{cite news|url=http://www.Channel4.com/news/spy-cable-revealed-how-telecoms-firm-worked-with-gchq|title=Spy cable revealed: how telecoms firm worked with GCHQ|author=Geoff white|website=Channel4.com|publisher=[[Channel 4 News]]|location=London|date=20 November 2014|access-date=22 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=electrospaces-20141130>{{cite web|url=http://electrospaces.blogspot.com/2014/11/incenser-or-how-nsa-and-gchq-are.html|title=INCENSER, or how NSA and GCHQ are tapping internet cables|publisher=Top Level Communications|location=The Netherlands|date=30 November 2014|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=thereg-20141121>{{cite news|url=https://www.TheRegister.co.uk/2014/11/21/mastering_the_internet_snowden_disclosure/|title=GCHQ and Cable and Wireless teamed as Masters of the Internet|author=Darren Pauli|website=TheRegister.co.uk|publisher=[[The Register]]|date=21 November 2014|access-date=22 November 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
{{Portal|Telecommunications}}<br />
*[[RNAL|Reach North Asia Loop]] (RNAL), cable network developed jointly by [[Reach Limited|Reach]] and FLAG Telecom<br />
*[[List of international submarine communications cables]]<br />
<br />
Other cable systems following a substantially similar route to FLAG Europe-Asia (FEA) are:<br />
*[[Europe India Gateway]] (EIG)<br />
*[[I-ME-WE]]<br />
*[[SEA-ME-WE 3]]<br />
*[[SEA-ME-WE 4]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist|32em}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20051013062230/http://www.flagtelecom.com/ FlagTelecom.com]}} — official FLAG website<br />
<br />
{{Transatlantic telecommunications cables}}<br />
{{Submarine communications cables in the Atlantic Ocean}}<br />
{{Submarine communications cables in the Indian Ocean}}<br />
{{Submarine communications cables in the Pacific Ocean}}<br />
{{Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fibre-optic Link Around the Globe}}<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the Indian Ocean]]<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the Pacific Ocean]]<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the Red Sea]]<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the Arabian Sea]]<br />
[[Category:Reliance Group]]<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the Mediterranean Sea]]<br />
[[Category:Submarine communications cables in the North Atlantic Ocean]]<br />
[[Category:Telecommunications in India]]<br />
[[Category:1997 establishments in Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:2006 establishments in Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:2006 establishments in Kerala]]</div>SusannahParish