Written questions

Telecommunications Cables: Seas and Oceans

Lords · Question HL3205 · Tabled 4 Dec 2024 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · Official record

Answered 18 Dec 2024

Question

Asked by Lord Rogan

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Vallance of Balham on 3 December (HL Deb col 1035), how much commercial companies are paying to fund a ship to provide protection for undersea cables, and to whom this money is paid.

Answer

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham, 18 Dec 2024

Subsea telecoms cables are privately owned and operated. The cost of cable maintenance and repair is shared by companies contracting into zonal maintenance agreements to ensure a commercial repair vessel is on permanent standby. For cables serving the UK ...