11 QUESTIONS WITH RYAN WOPSCHALL: Talking Submarine Cable Industry with International Cable Protection Committee’s General Manager

1. What is the theme and mission of ICPC Plenary ‘25?
ICPC Plenary ‘25 will explore “The Big Squeeze: Geopolitics & Spatial Planning”, highlighting how rising global tensions and increased competition for marine space are impacting submarine cable planning and infrastructure.

2. How does the ICPC Plenary engage with the submarine cable market?
It serves as a platform for exchanging technical, regulatory, and environmental knowledge while increasing government engagement to improve digital infrastructure protection.

3. What innovations in submarine cable technology will be discussed?
Key topics will include cable sensing, monitoring, and resilient route and landing site planning—critical to ensuring infrastructure protection.

4. What drives the continued success of the ICPC Plenary?
Success stems from growing membership, post-Covid infrastructure awareness, and enhanced collaboration across governments, cable owners, and service providers.

5. How is ICPC Plenary ‘25 promoting diversity and inclusion?
With members from 79 countries, ICPC encourages youth involvement and promotes inclusive representation across the global submarine cable industry.

6. How is ICPC supporting sustainability and the circular economy?
The committee works with recovery and recycling companies and supports sustainability research, emissions tracking, and life-cycle cable management.

7. How does ICPC support developments in optical fiber technologies?
ICPC focuses on the application of technologies like cable sensing for protection and monitoring rather than the tech itself, especially in collaboration with governments.

8. What’s new at ICPC Plenary ‘25?
Expect a larger exhibition hall, more keynote speakers, and increased government participation. The location in Montreal, Canada, adds to the event’s appeal.

9. How is ICPC adapting to digital transformation in the ICT sector?
ICPC is helping governments respond to increased demands on infrastructure due to AI, data centers, and capacity needs, positioning cables as national assets.

10. What challenges is ICPC addressing in Plenary ‘25?
Challenges—seen as opportunities—include regional collaboration, government communication, policy influence, and publishing peer-reviewed research to combat jurisdictional overreach.

11. What’s next for the ICPC?
ICPC recently launched the ITU/ICPC Advisory Body on Cable Resilience, with its first global meeting in Nigeria, strengthening international cooperation on cable protection.

To read the complete article, check out Issue 141 of the Sub Tel Forum Magazinehere