According to Japanese media reports, the United States, Europe and Japan currently hold an overwhelming advantage in submarine cables. The sum of the length of submarine cables laid by Tyco Electronics, Japan Electric Corporation (NEC) and Europe's Alcatel Submarine Networks accounts for more than 90% of the total length of the world's submarine cables.

The article describes that 99% of the world's communications and data currently flow through submarine cables. Satellites are also used for data communications, but because of their small capacity, the percentage is only 1%. Mail and financial transaction information from the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa basically flows through submarine cables. It can be argued that the countries that dominate the submarine communications network are in de facto control of the global flow of data.

Some 400 submarine cables are laid around the world. Countries also secretly lay military cables, the full extent of which is hidden deep in the ocean.

An analysis based on public and non-public information shows that the U.S., Europe and Japan currently have an overwhelming advantage.

The article introduces, at present, in the laying of submarine cables, accounting for the world's largest share of the U.S. Tyco Electronics submarine communications division, followed by the Japanese Electric Corporation (NEC) and Europe's Alcatel Submarine Networks. The sum of the three companies laying the length of submarine cables accounted for more than 90% of the total length of the world's submarine cables.