● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Two undersea cables off Perth damaged, Australian Federal Police investigating suspicious activity
Key points
- Two Subco undersea cables, Indigo-West and Indigo-Central, reported shunt faults.
- Faults occurred in close succession and proximity off Perth, Australia.
- Suspicious vessel activity was noted near the fault locations.
- Australian Federal Police are investigating a reported crime.
Cable Faults Detected
Subco, an undersea cable company, reported shunt faults on two of its cables, Indigo-West and Indigo-Central, off the coast of Perth, Australia. The faults occurred in close succession and proximity within a designated Submarine Cable Protection Zone.
Suspicious Activity and Investigation
Bevan Slattery, CEO of Subco, noted that the faults coincided with suspicious vessel activity in the area. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has received a report of a crime related to this incident and is currently assessing the information provided.
Significance of Undersea Cables
Undersea cables are critical infrastructure for national digital connectivity. A shunt fault indicates a break in insulation, leading to a short circuit. The incident raises concerns due to its potential impact on Australia's internet infrastructure and the possibility of deliberate damage.
Background on Cable Protection Zones
Australia established the Cable Protection Zone near Perth in 2007 to safeguard these vital communication lines. This zone extends 51 nautical miles from the shore and reaches depths over 6,500 feet (2,000 meters).
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Two Subco undersea cables, Indigo-West and Indigo-Central, reported shunt faults off the coast of Perth, Australia, shortly after each other and in close proximity. The faults occurred in a Cable Protection Zone, coinciding with suspicious vessel activity, prompting an investigation by the Australian Federal Police into a potential crime.