Say Goodbye to the Undersea Cable That Made the Global Internet Possible

Slashdot

by msmash

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The first transatlantic fiber-optic cable, TAT-8, which revolutionized global communications when it went live in 1988, is now being removed from the seabed after over two decades of dormancy. This historic 6,000-kilometer line, connecting the U.S., UK, and France, is being recovered by Subsea Environmental Services and sent to South Africa for recycling into valuable materials like copper and steel. The operation highlights the lifecycle of undersea cables and their enduring importance in global connectivity. TAT-8 was a pioneering project, built by AT&T, British Telecom, and France Telecom, and quickly reached full capacity within 18 months of its launch. It played a crucial role in the early days of global internet, enabling faster and more reliable communication across continents. However, after a costly fault rendered it non-operational in 2002, it was decommissioned but remained a symbol of technological advancement. The recovery process, led by Subsea Environmental Services using their vessel MV Maasvliet, has already yielded over 1,000 kilometers of cable. The recovered materials are highly valuable, particularly copper, which is in demand amid global shortages projected by the International Energy Agency. This recycling effort underscores the importance of reusing critical resources from obsolete infrastructure. The story of TAT-8’s removal and recycling offers insight into the evolution of undersea cables and their impact on modern communication. As older systems are retired, their materials are repurposed to meet growing demands for sustainable resource management in tech industries. This process not only addresses environmental concerns but also highlights the ongoing need for innovation in global connectivity solutions.

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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/23/2026