Breakthrough Testing Method Secures Faster, More Reliable Underwater Data Cables
A new testing method has improved the way faults are detected in underwater data cables. For the first time, Coherent-OTDR technology has been used to measure fibre loss and identify issues in submarine cables using multicore fibres. This breakthrough helps maintain stable global communication networks.
The method was developed through a partnership between Anritsu and KDDI Research. Their work aims to boost capacity and reliability in optical submarine cables, which carry vast amounts of international data traffic. Multicore fibres offer major advantages over traditional single-core cables. They provide higher bandwidth and lower latency, making them ideal for modern data demands. However, inter-core crosstalk—a type of signal interference between fibre cores—can disrupt data transmission if left unchecked.
In March 2026, five key submarine cable projects had already adopted Coherent-OTDR for testing. These include the MAREA cable (launched in 2018 by Microsoft and Facebook across the Atlantic) and Google's Dunant cable (2021, also Atlantic). Three Asia-Pacific projects—TGN-Pacific updates, Apricot, and SeaMeWe-6 (2023–2025)—have also used the method.
The technology has successfully mapped inter-core crosstalk along entire cable routes, even through underwater repeaters. This allows engineers to pinpoint weak spots and measure signal loss with precision. Unlike older techniques, Coherent-OTDR analyses multicore fibres as effectively as single-mode fibres, ensuring consistent performance across complex networks.
Market analysts predict strong growth for multicore fibres. The sector is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2032, expanding at an annual rate of around 24%. This surge reflects rising demand for faster, more reliable international data links. The adoption of Coherent-OTDR marks a significant step in submarine cable maintenance. Engineers can now detect faults and crosstalk more accurately, reducing downtime and improving data flow. With major projects already using the method, its role in future cable systems is likely to expand alongside the growing multicore fibre market.
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