Submarine Networks EMEA 2026: A look back
Growing attention being paid to submarine cables from the perspective of national security and geopolitical resilience.
During Submarine Networks EMEA, the focus was naturally on the construction, maintenance and repair of submarine cables. Cable faults were also discussed extensively. What stood out most during the conference was the growing attention being paid to submarine cables from the perspective of national security and geopolitical resilience.
Cable faults are a fairly normal part of the sector. Hundreds of cable faults are repaired worldwide each year through an international network of cable repair vessels. For the wider public, however, a cable fault can quickly become major news.
The question is how these two worlds relate to each other. Submarine cables form the backbone of our digital economy and are essential for international connectivity. Governments increasingly recognise this infrastructure as critical. At the same time, countries are seeking greater control, autonomy and national oversight of critical infrastructure.
An international sector
The cable sector is inherently international. Cables connect countries, repair vessels operate worldwide, and expertise is spread across different regions. Yet the growing focus on national security is leading to new regulations, additional security requirements and discussions about ownership, management and access.
This creates a tension. On the one hand, there is a legitimate need to better protect critical infrastructure. On the other, additional requirements and procedures can limit the speed and flexibility needed to keep international connections resilient. Projects take longer, permitting processes become more complex, and the question arises of how to balance security objectives with the operational realities of the sector.
More than protection alone
Another aspect of resilience also came to the fore during Submarine Networks EMEA. It is not only about protecting existing cables, but also about route diversity, redundancy and strong international cooperation.
When a connection goes down, rapid repair is often more important than national self-sufficiency alone. This requires not only sufficient repair capacity and robust connections, but also knowledge sharing, mutual understanding and joint arrangements for security and recovery.
An opportunity for the Netherlands
For the Netherlands, this presents an important opportunity. As a digital gateway to Europe, we can distinguish ourselves through a predictable business environment, efficient permitting and strong cooperation between government, security services and industry.
International cooperation remains essential. After all, submarine cables are cross-border infrastructure, and their reliability depends to a large extent on effective cooperation between countries and stakeholders.
At a time when digital connectivity is becoming an increasingly strategic factor, such cooperation cannot be taken for granted. For the Netherlands, it can be a competitive advantage.
