Did you know the internet runs under the ocean?

Did You Know the Internet Runs Under the Ocean?

Most people imagine the internet as something invisible, floating in the cloud or sent down by satellites in space.

In reality, 99% of international data travels through a vast network of fiber-optic cables laid across the ocean floor.

These undersea cables connect continents and carry emails, video calls, searches, and online services at incredible speed. If they were laid end-to-end, they could wrap around the Earth more than 30 times.

How the Internet Really Works

Fiber-optic cables transmit data as light signals through thin strands of glass. This physical infrastructure forms the backbone of the global internet.

Satellites do exist, but they handle only a tiny share of international data traffic.

(Source: TeleGeography, Do Submarine Cables Account For Over 99% of Intercontinental Data Traffic?)

Why This Matters

Every digital action relies on real-world infrastructure. That means energy use, resources, and environmental impact.
Understanding this connection is part of digital literacy, knowing not just how to use digital tools but also what supports them behind the scenes.

The Role of DIAMOND

At DIAMOND, communication and digital literacy go hand in hand.
By explaining complex digital systems in simple, accessible language, the project helps people:

better understand how digital technologies work
make more informed digital choices
feel empowered rather than excluded by technology

The internet may feel invisible, but it is deeply connected to the physical world.
Learning how it works is the first step toward using it more thoughtfully, for people, society, and the planet.

Partners:

Funding Agency: European Research Executive Agency (REA)

Did you know the internet runs under the ocean?

In reality, 99% of international data travels through a vast network of fiber-optic cables laid across the ocean floor

How the Internet Really Works

Why This Matters

The Role of DIAMOND

DIAMOND Empowerment