Around 98% of all internet data travels through subsea cables
The Commission announced on Tuesday that it will spend €8.3 million to set up “regional hubs” tasked with monitoring and repairing subsea cables, in the latest move since the Commission decided to tackle alleged sabotage from Russian vessels in the Baltic.
In the wake of the war in Ukraine, a number of subsea cables have been cut in the Baltic Sea, with responsibility being attributed to Russian hybrid warfare. Tech Sovereignty Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, who is from Finland, a country heavily affected by subsea cable cuts, made the issue a political priority when she took office in 2024.
Around 98% of all internet data travels through subsea cables. The Commission will grant €5.8 million and €3.3 million, respectively, to the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean Sea hubs, per its press release.
The first hub will be coordinated by Finland, with the participation of Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Latvia and Sweden, while the second hub will be coordinated by Italy with help from Cyprus, Greece and Malta.
