Information Flows

Question 1

The use of ICT by individuals and societies

Answer 1

• shrinking world and use of ICT accelerates globalisation, oceans provide space where 90% of all internet data passes via seafloor data cables
• ICT helped MNCs to expand globally, e.g. M&S, barcode scanned, data sent to Kenya to adjust order from suppliers
• Facebook, twitter and snapchat allow users to create global or local network of friends
• language and music adopted and hybridised faster than ever, 1.8bn views on 2012 ‘PSY’ gingham style
• social networks used to spread awareness of political issue and fight for global scale changes

Question 2

Seafloor cable data network growth and management

Answer 2

• first cables sent morse code laid on Atlantic sea floor in mid-1800s, 1950s, telephone conversation held as another cable laid, 1990s fibre optic cables replaced analogue, able to send huge amounts of digital data via light
• 99% of all intercontinental data traffic is transmitted by seafloor cables, Microsoft and Facebook building highest capacity Atlantic cable linking USA, Europe, Africa and Asia
• global governance measures protect seafloor cable networks, convention for protection of submarine cables signed by 20 states in 1884
• data cables recognised as critically important 21st century infrastructure, no-fishing and no-anchoring zones around cables
• future restrictions on laying cables across vulnerable seafloor ecosystems

Question 3

Risks to global connectivity

Answer 3

• tectonic hazards and landslides = seismic profilers used to mitigate risks by avoiding hazardous zones
• tsunamis and cyclones = 26 Dec 2004, tsunami damaged land-based telecoms networks in coastal Malaysia and S.Africa
• Anchors and trawling = 60% cut cables incidents by dropped anchors and fishing nets, Asia temporarily lost 75% of internet capacity in 2008 when a ships anchor severed major internet artery
• Fish/sharks = bit cables, may be encouraged due to strumming sensation of EM fields
• Sabotage = common during both WW’s