SubTel Forum Magazine #148 – Global Capacity – OUT NOW!

SubTel Forum Press Release
May 18, 2026

What's Inside:

SubTel Forum is proud to release Issue 148 of Submarine Telecoms Forum Magazine. This edition explores the technical, operational, regulatory, and geopolitical forces shaping the submarine cable industry as global connectivity demand continues to evolve. With network architectures advancing, regional infrastructure priorities shifting, and policy frameworks expanding, this issue provides timely insight into the challenges and innovations defining the next phase of subsea communications.

At the center of the issue is a focus on network evolution and capacity strategy, including analysis of coherent pluggable transponders in submarine networks, shifting global traffic patterns, and the testing processes required to support successful scale-across and scale-out optical networks. Additional technical coverage examines spatial division multiplexing in power-constrained subsea cables, offering insight into how future systems may expand capacity within practical operational limits.

Feature coverage also highlights subsea infrastructure’s expanding role in regional connectivity and ocean science. Articles examine efforts to connect Pacific island communities through regional subsea infrastructure, the benefits of the world’s first diesel/electric submarine cable recovery ship, and the undersea research lab reshaping the future of ocean science.

As geopolitical and regulatory pressures intensify, this issue explores the South China Sea routing tax and its impact on Indo-Pacific cable routing, alongside analysis of NIS2’s expanded scope and its implications for submarine infrastructure. Continuing the magazine’s technical education series, Part 2 of “From Maxwell’s Equations to Subsea Fibre Optics” further explains optical waveguides through fiber physics.

Regular departments provide expanded coverage of sustainability, analytics, cable ship activity, capacity markets, fault lines, legal and regulatory developments, industry moves, SubTel Cable Map updates, and submarine cable news—offering readers a comprehensive view of the operational landscape across the submarine cable ecosystem.

A dedicated conference preview highlights PTC’DC 2026, bringing infrastructure, policy, and investment leaders together at the Hyatt Regency Reston on September 17, 2026.

STF Exclusive:

6 Questions with Brian Moon and Tony Rossabi
A conversation with PTC’s CEO and Chairman/President exploring the submarine cable industry, infrastructure priorities, and the leadership perspectives shaping future connectivity.

Feature Articles:

• Coherent Pluggable Transponders in Submarine Networks by Geoff Bennett, Sumudu Edirisinghe
• The Benefits of the World’s First Diesel/Electric Submarine Cable Recovery Ship by Simon Appleby, Wouter van Terwisga
• Connecting an Ocean by John Maguire
• Global Capacity in Transition by Joel Ogren
• Establishing Test Processes to Ensure Successful Scale-Across and Scale-Out Networks by Mitsuhiro Usuba, Shu Zhuang, Yoshihiro Kameyama
• World’s Only Undersea Research Lab Is Reshaping the Future of Ocean Science by JoAnn C. Adkins
• Spatial Division Multiplexing in Power-Constrained Subsea Cables by Jose Chesnoy, Jean-Christophe Antona
• The South China Sea Routing Tax by Billy Buddell
• NIS2’s Extended Scope Takes a Deep Dive by Mike Conradi, Nicholas De Lacy-Brown, Christian Keogh, Henry Kilding, Lola Stirling
• From Maxwell’s Equations to Subsea Fibre Optics: Part 2 by Anna Bridget Sheehan, Derek Cassidy

And more forward-looking insights from SubTel Forum…

READ ISSUE NOW

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

We extend our appreciation to the sponsors of Issue 148. Your support enables SubTel Forum to continue delivering timely, data-driven, and impactful coverage of the subsea telecommunications industry.