IAB Working Groups
The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience (IAB) established three Working Groups to examine key dimensions of submarine cable resilience. In total, the three IAB Working Groups comprise 175 experts drawn from across the public and private sectors.
Bringing together experts from governments, regulators, industry, academia and international organizations, the Working Groups identify key challenges, review existing practices and propose actionable solutions to strengthen the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure.
The three Working Groups are:
Working Group 1: Timely deployment and repair
Working Group 2: Risk identification, monitoring and mitigation
Working Group 3: Fostering connectivity and geographic diversity
Working Group 1– Timely Deployment and Repair of Submarine Cables
Working Group 1 examines challenges affecting the deployment and repair of submarine telecommunications cable systems, recognizing that both timely deployment and rapid repair are essential to maintaining global connectivity. Submarine cable projects often face regulatory delays, complex permitting procedures and logistical constraints that can extend deployment timelines. Repair operations similarly depend on vessel availability, regulatory approvals and effective coordination among stakeholders.
Co-Facilitators: Mr. Zhiguo Zhao, Leading Expert on Submarine Cables, Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (China) & Mr. Kevin Adams, Director (Interim), Digital Infrastructure, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (United Kingdom)
Working Group 2 – Risk Identification, Monitoring and Mitigation
Working Group 2 focuses on identifying and addressing the physical and operational risks affecting submarine cables. Submarine cables face a range of threats including fishing activities, ship anchoring, natural hazards such as earthquakes and submarine landslides, and emerging risks linked to climate change and maritime congestion.
Co-Facilitators: Ms. Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani, Director-General, Department of Communications & Digital Technologies (South Africa) & Mr. Andy Palmer-Felgate, Vice President, North American Submarine Cable Association (NASCA)
Working Group 3– Fostering Connectivity and Geographic Diversity
Working Group 3 focuses on the investment, policy and economic dimensions of submarine cable resilience, particularly the need to strengthen connectivity and geographic diversity of global cable networks. Global connectivity is often concentrated along a limited number of cable routes and geographic chokepoints, creating systemic vulnerabilities when disruptions occur.
Co-Facilitators: Mr. Rodney Taylor, Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) & Mr. Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital and AI, World Bank
IAB Working Group Recommendations
IAB Working Group Report
(To be launched in June 2026 at WTPF)