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Undersea internet cables face rising risks, new book warns

Elisabeth Braw's book Undersea War argues that the cables carrying most global internet traffic face rising risks; your streaming and video calls ride on them.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN This Morning
Published 8:20 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Ars Technica: “The Internet’s undersea backbone is slipping into the danger zone”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 8:20 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Ars TechnicaThe Internet’s undersea backbone is slipping into the danger zone

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMost of the world's internet traffic runs through cables on the ocean floor, and a new book by Elisabeth Braw, called Undersea War, says the risks to them are rising.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWait, the internet is physically in the ocean? Like, wires?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentWires, yes.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentHere's how it works: your video call goes from your phone to a data center, then down a cable the width of a garden hose, and across the sea.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIf one is damaged, traffic can usually be rerouted, but that means slower streaming and shakier connections for you, and fewer backups left for the next break.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the whole group chat depends on a garden hose.