Open AccessUnspooling the Legacy of Submarine Cables
Author(s) -
Wynn Tranfield
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
dttp/documents to the people
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0270-5095
pISSN - 0091-2085
DOI - 10.5860/dttp.v46i3.6826
Subject(s) - submarine , legislature , boom , legislation , colonialism , state (computer science) , political science , sovereignty , legislative history , engineering , telecommunications , public administration , law , politics , marine engineering , computer science , algorithm , environmental engineering
Submarine cables represent an invisible yet crucial infrastructure that enable all manner of global communication. Despite their impact, they are seldom a matter of public interest or debate. Further, they are uniquely represented in state, federal, and international legislation. Throughout history, legislative concerns surrounding submarine cables have shifted from colonial monopolies to environmental health and national security. The following document examines the evolution of submarine cables from the first transatlantic copper wire cable to the present fiber-optic cable boom through the legislative lens.