Submarine Cable System Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Submarine Cable System Market (By Voltage: Medium Voltage, High Voltage, Extra-High Voltage; By System: Dry Plant, Wet Plant; By Transmission: Electric Power, Communication Signals: By Service: Installation, Maintenance; By Cables Type: Loose Tube Cables, Ribbon Cables; By Fiber Class: Unrepeatered, Repeatered; By Depth: 0 to 500M, 500M to 1000M, 1000M to 5000M, Others; By End-User) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook, and Forecast 2023-2032

  • Last Updated : January 2024
  • Report Code : 2617
  • Category : Semiconductor and Electronic

The global submarine cable system market size was reached at USD 17.18 billion in 2023 and it is expected to hit around USD 41.02 billion by 2032, with a noteworthy CAGR of 10.15% between 2023 and 2032. Emerging investments in offshore wind management projects across the globe are driving the growth of the global submarine cable system market.

Submarine Cable System Market Size 2023 To 2032

Key Takeaways

  • Asia Pacific dominates the global market. 
  • North America is predicted to raise at a noticeable rate between 2023 and 2032.
  • The high voltage segment dominates the market and is projected to sustain growth between 2023 and 2032.
  • The dry plant system segment generates for the maximum revenue share in the market.
  • The wet plant system segment is expected to register remarkable growth between 2023 and 2032.
  • The communication signals transmission segment is predicted to dominate the market between 2023 and 2032.
  • The installation service segment leads the global market and is forecasted to sustain growth between 2023 and 2032.
  • The offshore wind power generation end-user segment dominates the global market.

Submarine Cable System Market in the Asia Pacific 2023 To 2032

The Asia Pacific submarine cable system market size was estimated at USD 6.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.77 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.20% from 2023 to 2032.

Asia Pacific Submarine Cable System Market Size 2023 to 2032

Geographically, Asia Pacific dominates the global submarine cable system market. Increased planned wind energy projects in major countries such as India, China and Japan. China is the largest contributor to the market. Whereas Japan is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period owing to the rising industrial expenditure. The presence of major key players in Asia Pacific contributes to the growth of the market.

North America is expected to boost at a noticeable rate during the forecast period. Rapid adoption to cloud-based services is helping the market in North America to grow. Moreover, the deployment of smart submarine cable systems is another driving factor for the growth of the market in North America.

Submarine Cable System Market Share, By Region, 2022 (%)

Europe is witnessing significant growth owing to the rising demand for faster internet connection in the region. The UK is considered the largest contributor to the growth of the market. Ongoing submarine cable installation projects in various parts of the region are fueling the growth of the market.

The developing infrastructure of the telecom industry and the rising deployment of advanced technologies such as cloud-based services in submarine cable systems have propelled the growth of the market in the Middle East. The submarine cable system market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to grow during the estimated period.

Market Overview:

A submarine cable system is laid in the ocean/sea to transfer telecommunication signals. Almost 98% of international data is transmitted through cables situated at the bottom of the ocean. Such cables are referred to as submarine communication cables. These cables are capable of sharing large data faster between two or more selected points. 

Installing submarine cables for carrying massive internet traffic has become a captivating business in recent years. Such cables are layered with high-quality steel and tar to help them stand against the unpredictable ocean environment. The process of installing submarine cables includes the participation of specialists such as geologists, oceanographers and geophysicists. 

Oceans valleys, undersea coral reefs and rocks are taken into consideration before installing the submarine cable systems. A typical life span of submarine cables is approximately 25 years, in the total life span; these cables undergo multiple maintenance sessions and repairs to boost the data run.

The global submarine cable system market is fragmented, with numerous key players all around the world. Some companies in the market provide raw materials for the cables, and some focus on manufacturing. Whereas only some players work on the installation process. The need to transmit significant data traffic primarily fuels the demand for submarine cables across the globe.

Submarine Cable System Market Scope

Report Coverage Details
Growth Rate from 2023 to 2032 CAGR of 10.15%
Market Size in 2023 USD 17.18 Billion
Market Size by 2032 USD 41.02 Billion
Largest Market Asia Pacific
Base Year 2022
Forecast Period 2023 to 2032
Segments Covered By Voltage, By System, By Transmission, By Service, By Cables Type, By Fiber Class, By Depth and By End-User
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa


Market Dynamics:

The global submarine cable system market is predicted to grow during the estimated period. The rapid deployment of 5G internet services in developing countries is estimated to boost the market's growth in the upcoming years. Other factors, including emerging offshore renewable energy generation projects, rising use of the internet, entry of competitive players in the market, increasing investments for wind power projects and emerging economies, are driving the submarine cable system market growth. 

Moreover, the rising need for efficient power transmission across the globe is propelling the development of the market. The constant growth of the market is attributed to the upgradation in maintenance service and the deployment of advanced technologies in the installation of submarine cables.  

However, the high-cost cable limits the installation of submarine cables system, which acts as a restraining factor for the market's growth. Complex maintenance and repair services of submarine cable systems hinder the growth of the global submarine cable system market. Furthermore, improper installation and lousy design of submarine cables may result in a potential risk for submarine cables. 

Unpredictable natural threats such as tsunamis and cyclones are prone to hamper the submarine cable system market growth. Moreover, in upcoming years, the adoption of satellite-based communication is considered to restrain the growth of the submarine cable system market. In conclusion, risks (natural or manmade) associated with submarine cables are non-negligible; however, proper risk management methods are likely to minimize the restraining factors of the market.

Voltage Insights

The high voltage segment dominates the market and is expected to maintain growth during the forecast period. High-voltage cables are used for distributing power, and they range above 33kV. High-voltage cables preserve the capacity of transferring electric power over long distances.

Rising need for efficient power transmission across the globe with increased communication traffic, the demand for high voltage cable segments will boost in upcoming years. Extra-high voltage cables can transfer power from 35kV – 800 kV. Furthermore, the medium voltage segment is expected to increase during the forecast period significantly.

System Insights

The dry plant segment accounts for the largest revenue share in the worldwide submarine cable system market. Recent advancements in the dry plant, such as increased aluminum conductors and deployment of smart cables, have fueled the growth of the dry plant segment. The dry plant segment comprises land cables, power feeding equipment, and submarine line terminal equipment.

The wet plant segment is predicted to register a significant increase during the estimated period of 2023-2032. The wet plant lies between beach utility holes. This segment comprises the gain equalizer, repeater, and transmission line amplifier.  

Transmission Insights

The communication signals segment is expected to dominate the submarine cable system market during the forecast period. The growth of the communication signals segment is attributed to the rising demand for transmitting telecommunication signals.

The constant growth of the communication signals segment is driven by seawater's easy absorption of radio waves and the reliability of transmitting a larger capacity of international data. Rising offshore wind energy generation projects across the globe are predicted to boost the electric power transmission segment in upcoming years.  

Service Insights

The installation service segment leads the global submarine cable system market and is anticipated to maintain growth during the forecast period. The rising demand for the installation of submarine cables, the upgradation is cable installation services, and the deployment of automated control systems have propelled the segment's growth. 

The installation segment is witnessing noticeable growth due to a surge in submarine cable system projects worldwide. This emerging segment of services comprises trenching, plowing, and jetting for installation purposes. The service includes laying submarine cables at the bottom with anchors or covers.  

The maintenance segment is predicted to grow significantly during the forecast period with advancements in repairing services for enhancing the life span of submarine cables and preventing potential damage. The maintenance segment comprises a survey of cables, checking tears or wear and replacing cables. Rising potential hazards to the submarine cables (natural and man-made) have forced the market to adopt advanced maintenance services methods in recent years.

End-User Insights

The offshore wind power generation industry dominates the global submarine cable system market. The segment is predicted to carry the growth during the estimated period owing to the surge in offshore wind power generation projects across the globe. 

The offshore wind power generation plants are generally located over a shallow water source or ocean. The rising awareness for renewable energy is predicted to grow the investments in offshore wind power energy generation projects in upcoming years. Submarine cables system is capable of transmitting electric power generated at the offshore plant to the land.  

However, the rising demand for connecting islands with compelling power and telecommunication services is fueling the growth of the intercountry & island connection segment. The segment is estimated to account for significant growth in the upcoming years. Moreover, the offshore oil & gas industry will witness a considerable increase due to increased investments in offshore oil and gas projects by South Africa and gulf countries in the Middle East.

Recent Developments:

  • In September 2022, International provider Irix launched the Batam-Sarawak internet cable system (BaCISC). BaCISC is a privately developed subsea cable system connecting Malaysia and Indonesia.  
  • In September 2022, Google launched a $ 1 billion Equiano submarine cable that connects Western Europe to South Africa. The submarine cable stretches 15,000 km with a design capacity of 150 Tpbs. 
  • In August 2022, Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) launched Saudi Vision Cable, the first high-speed submarine cable in the red sea. The Saudi Vision submarine Cable spans over 1.1 million meters, with Jeddah being the first landing station.  
  • In July 2022, Southern Cross Cables launched Southern Cross NEXT Submarine Cable, connecting Australasia to the US. The submarine cable will enable connectivity between the people and communities of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to the rest of the world. Southern Cross collaborated with Ciena to commission the NEXT submarine cable.  
  • In July 2022, NTT Ltd Japan Corporation, PC Landing Corporation, Mitsui & Co Ltd and JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd collectively announced the launch of a new company, ‘Seren Juno Network Co Ltd’. This company aims to construct and operate ‘JUNO’. JUNO is the new trans-pacific submarine cable system. This system will link US and Japan. JUNO submarine cable system aims to serve the digital economy. 
  • In June 2022, Etihad Etisalat Co., a Saudi Arabia-based company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build the first bilateral submarine cable system to link Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The plan to build a new submarine cable system came in line with rising communication traffic. 

Submarine Cable System Market Players:

  • SubCom LLC
  • NEC Corporation
  • Nexans S.A.
  • Huawei Marine Networks Co., Ltd.
  • JDR Cable System Ltd
  • Hexatronic Cables & Interconnect Systems
  • Corning Incorporated
  • Hengtong Group Co
  • Saudi Ericsson
  • ZTT
  • The Okonite Company
  • TE Connectivity
  • Prysmian Group
  • Apar Industries
  • AFL
  • Alcatel Submarine Networks
  • Tele-fonika Kable
  • Cablel Group
  • Sumitomo Electric Industries
  • Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke GmbH
  • Hesfibel
  • Leoni Special Cables Gmbh

Segments Covered in the Report:

By Voltage

  • Medium Voltage
  • High Voltage
  • Extra-High Voltage

By System

  • Dry Plant
  • Wet Plant 

By Transmission

  • Electric Power
  • Communication Signals

By Service

  • Installation 
  • Maintenance 

By Cables Type

  • Loose Tube Cables
  • Ribbon Cables

By Fiber Class

  • Unrepeatered
  • Repeatered

By Depth

  • 0 to 500M
  • 500M to 1000M
  • 1000M to 5000M
  • Others

By End-User

  • Intercountry & Island Connection
  • Offshore Oil & Gas Industry
  • Offshore Wind Power Generation Industry

By Geography

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Latin America
  • The Middle East and Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

The global submarine cable system market size was accounted at USD 17.18 billion in 2023 and it is expected to reach around USD 41.02 billion by 2032.

The global submarine cable system market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 10.15% from 2023 to 2032.

The major players operating in the submarine cable system market are SubCom LLC, NEC Corporation, Nexans S.A., Huawei Marine Networks Co., Ltd., JDR Cable System Ltd, Hexatronic Cables & Interconnect Systems, Corning Incorporated, Hengtong Group Co, Saudi Ericsson, ZTT, The Okonite Company, TE Connectivity, Prysmian Group, Apar Industries, AFL, Alcatel Submarine Networks, Tele-fonika Kable, Cablel Group, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke GmbH and Others.

The driving factors of the submarine cable system market are the rapid deployment of 5G internet services in developing countries, emerging offshore renewable energy generation projects and emerging offshore renewable energy generation projects.

Asia Pacific region will lead the global submarine cable system market during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.

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