FEATURE
THE CLIMATE, CABLES AND ADVOCACY AN OPINION
By Kristian Niels
BY KRISTIAN NIELSEN
I
nnovation has always been a tricky subject in our industry. Technologically speaking, new transmission materials, armoring methods, terminal equipment, and terminal equipment have seen tremendous transformations over the 170 some odd years we have been laying cables. As innovation has been driven by demand for better faster and safer communications, this literal industrial revolution marvel has remained mostly unchanged in its methods since the first telegraph was laid in the 1850s. Sure, the core is faster, the armor stronger and we’re shooting light instead of electrical impulses over glass instead of precious metals. But the core of how a cable is laid and how said cable is operated has remained largely unchanged. Even today, the primary concern for innovations has been how to keep systems secure and fast with reliable uptime. Power consumption is a concern insofar as how to acquire it and maintain it. In other technology-based industries there has been a groundswell of support for a new normal, a cleaner one, a sustainable one. In my opinion, this very well established, best kept secret of the telecoms world, niche industry is at an intersectional point in time - we have the opportunity to pivot and make this world a genuinely better place.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
On April 22, 2021, Earth Day, WFN Strategies was pleased to announce joining The Climate Pledge alongside Amazon, Verizon and over 100 other companies from across dozens of industries.
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SUBMARINE TELECOMS MAGAZINE
WFN Strategies is a long-time innovator in the submarine telecommunications industry, this felt a natural progression for us. Since 2001, we have been at the forefront of Polar and Offshore Energy fiber cable engineering, as well as attaining industry-first ISO certifications for Quality Management, Information Security and now Environmental Management. In an industry over 170 years old, we have in recent years set many industry firsts in engineering and management.
The submarine telecoms industry is due for a new change, one that is renewable and sustainable. The submarine telecoms industry is due for a new change, one that is renewable and sustainable. From vessels burning fuel to lay cable, to powering the data centers those cables connect to, the telecommunications industry is replete with opportunities for positive change. WFN proposes to not only reach carbon neutral operations by 2040 but also become the industry champions for powering submarine cable systems with renewable sources. Our unique position within this industry allows them to act as Green Evangelists with system suppliers, developers, and everyone within the supply chain. “WFN has long committed to sustainable practices, ranging
