The Latvian Submarine Cable – The Backbone of the Baltic Region’s Digital Security and Connectivity

Doties uz digiTuvi jaunumiem

Dita Krecere
Head of the Optical Fiber Leasing Business Unit at LVRTC

The world’s attention is increasingly focused on submarine cables as strategically important infrastructure objects that ensure global data flow and internet connectivity between countries. The submarine optical cable Ventspils – Gotland, managed by the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC), is essential not only for Latvia but also for the economy and security of the entire Baltic Sea region. 

The Latvian submarine cable is not only a technological infrastructure – it is a symbol of the nation’s digital security and economic development. 

The cable’s importance for regional connectivity 

The cable enables data transmission between Latvia and Northern Europe, providing the fastest and most reliable connection to Scandinavia – a region that hosts many global technology and service providers. Such infrastructure is vital not only for businesses and public administration but also for residents who rely on a stable internet connection in their daily lives. 

Security and potential risks 

Although submarine cables are highly reliable, recent geopolitical developments have highlighted their vulnerability. Over the past two years, several cable damages have been recorded in the Baltic Sea, possibly linked to malicious interference. These incidents highlight the need for enhanced monitoring and alternative data transmission routes to ensure stable data flow in critical situations. 

LVRTC measures to ensure security 

LVRTC experts continuously monitor the operation of the submarine cable 24/7, using modern technologies that allow real-time detection of any changes to promptly identify potential risks. 

At the beginning of 2023, the government decided that enhanced protection of the marine communications cable within Latvian territorial waters is necessary and tasked the National Armed Forces with this responsibility. 

When damage occurs, it is essential to have clear procedures and actions for damage repair to ensure the fastest possible service restoration. LVRTC has developed procedures for rapid identification and elimination of faults, reducing the potential impact of service interruptions. This approach demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring service continuity and the fastest possible restoration.  

Security assurance for the LVRTC cable extends beyond monitoring and physical protection. LVRTC has established backup data transmission routes, allowing stable connectivity even in emergency situations. This approach ensures that any damage or disruptions are mitigated with minimal impact on clients and services. However, it should be noted that electronic communications operators using the LVRTC cable build their networks according to their own business plans and customer requirements. 

When assessing internet availability for residents, two factors are crucial: 

• The capacity of optical fiber networks and the number of connecting lines, which in Latvia and the Baltics are considered sufficient; 

• The redundancy options of internet service providers that use backbone network infrastructure to provide services to end users. 

Whether network redundancy (an additional connection in case the main route is damaged) is required is determined by both the internet service provider and often the end user, who may have specific requirements for internet availability through two or more independent communication routes. It should be emphasized that this is part of each provider’s business policy and responsibility — how they ensure services for end users and whether they provide network backup options. 

LVRTC’s infrastructure is built with a redundancy approach, ensuring that in case of damage, data transmission is rerouted through alternative paths. It is equally important that operators also ensure they have alternative routes in place.