Objective | Contents

Photonics Briefing #13
Unrepeatered Submarine Fiber Optic Systems - Opportunities for New Entrants
July 18, 2001

Burlington Marriott, Burlington, MA

The market for Submarine Fiber Optic Systems has been dominated by long distance and regional transoceanic systems. Transoceanic and regional systems have large numbers of optical amplifiers which contain active optical amplifiers requiring power. These systems also require high investments not only in physical plant, but also in fleets of ships to provide restoration and maintenance in case of cable cuts and failures.

Another submarine market exist for unrepeatered submarine fiber optic systems which have no active components under water. Only a passive cable is laid underwater with the active components on dry land or on off-shore platforms such as oil rigs. The unrepeatered cable does not require power.

As the technology improves and drives down the cost of optoelectronics, the market for unrepeatered links expands dramatically. Unrepeatered links require less investment in electronics, installation and maintenance. Typical applications include along a shore (festoons), or drilling rigs, shore-to-islands, island-to-island, along canals and other waterways, and across rivers and harbors.

This photonic briefing will explore the market opportunities offered by unrepeatered fiber optic systems, technology developments, and other facets of these systems compared to long distance repeatered systems.