An open cable landing station, also known as an open-access cable landing station, refers to a facility where undersea fibre-optic cables (submarine cables) carrying internet traffic come ashore and connect with terrestrial telecommunication networks. The term “open” indicates that the landing station is accessible to multiple telecommunication companies or service providers, allowing them to interconnect their networks and exchange data traffic.
Traditionally, submarine cables have been owned and operated by consortia or individual telecommunications companies. Access to these cables was often limited to the owners or partners involved in their deployment. However, with the increasing demand for internet connectivity and data transmission capacity, there has been a push towards open-access models to promote better service, reduce costs, and enhance network resilience.
Open cable landing stations provide a standardised neutral point of interconnection where multiple service providers can connect their networks to submarine cables. This arrangement fosters competition among providers, encourages innovation, and expands connectivity options for users. Additionally, it can help improve redundancy and reliability in internet infrastructure by facilitating multiple routes for data transmission.
Overall, open cable landing stations play a crucial role in facilitating global communication and internet connectivity by serving as key hubs for interconnecting submarine cables with terrestrial networks in a neutral and accessible manner.