Who We Are

Connecting the World Through Innovative Industry Collaboration and  Strategic Philanthropy

The SubOptic Association and Foundation work together to advance the global submarine cable industry through a unique synergy of collaboration, innovation, and philanthropy.

Our Mission and Vision

“To be the voice of the industry, promoting innovation and sustainability of the global communications fabric”

We were founded on the belief that we should openly share ideas and address issues in a neutral forum representing the ecosystem of the global submarine communications industry.

“To inspire, engage, and enlighten those who work within, or show interest in joining the subsea telecoms industry”

To attract, inspire, and empower the next generation of subsea telecom professionals through education and research, ensuring a broad-based, inclusive, and innovative workforce that addresses the important evolving challenges of the industry and supports the long-term growth of sustainable global connectivity.

Our Story

SubOptic’s journey began with a vision: to accelerate the growth and innovation of subsea optical fibre communications, through collaboration across the industry.   

Since its inception, SubOptic has evolved into the cornerstone of the industry, fostering partnerships, advancing technologies, and empowering professionals across the globe.

1986

SubOptic is founded to provide a forum for the submarine telecoms cable industry. The inaugural conference takes place in Versailles. SubOptic 2028 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

1986

SubOptic is founded to provide a forum for the submarine telecoms cable industry. The inaugural conference takes place in Versailles. SubOptic 2028 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

1992

Second SubOptic Conference takes place in Versailles, led by Jean Devos.

1992

Second SubOptic Conference takes place in Versailles, led by Jean Devos.

1997

SubOptic San Francisco takes place, led by Jean Devos.

1997

SubOptic San Francisco takes place, led by Jean Devos.

2001

SubOptic Kyoto takes place, led by Alan Robinson.

2001

SubOptic Kyoto takes place, led by Alan Robinson.

2004

SubOptic Monaco takes place, led by Alan Robinson.

2004

SubOptic Monaco takes place, led by Alan Robinson.

2007

SubOptic Baltimore takes place, led by Fiona Beck. The conference is entitled ‘Enabling Global Communications’.

2007

SubOptic Baltimore takes place, led by Fiona Beck. The conference is entitled ‘Enabling Global Communications’.

2010

SubOptic Yokohama takes place, led by Fiona Beck. The conference is entitled ‘Enabling the Next Generation of Seawards & Services’ .

2010

SubOptic Yokohama takes place, led by Fiona Beck. The conference is entitled ‘Enabling the Next Generation of Seawards & Services’ .

2013

SubOptic Paris takes place. Led by Yves Ruggeri, and entitled 'From Ocean to Cloud', it draws upon the technical and commercial evolution that has taken the industry from the telegraph to the seamless integration represented by cloud services today.

2013

SubOptic Paris takes place. Led by Yves Ruggeri, and entitled 'From Ocean to Cloud', it draws upon the technical and commercial evolution that has taken the industry from the telegraph to the seamless integration represented by cloud services today.

2016

SubOptic Dubai takes place. Led by Yves Ruggeri, the ninth conference is attended by nearly 700 attendees, from over 50 countries and representing over 280 organisations.

2016

SubOptic Dubai takes place. Led by Yves Ruggeri, the ninth conference is attended by nearly 700 attendees, from over 50 countries and representing over 280 organisations.

2019

SubOptic New Orleans takes place, led by Yves Ruggeri. The tenth edition, with over 900 attendees, showcases expert insights and reaffirms its role as the leading global submarine telecoms conference.

2019

SubOptic New Orleans takes place, led by Yves Ruggeri. The tenth edition, with over 900 attendees, showcases expert insights and reaffirms its role as the leading global submarine telecoms conference.

2019

Launch of the Subsea Optical Fiber Communications Summer School in Finland, featuring industry experts guiding attendees on future challenges

2019

Launch of the Subsea Optical Fiber Communications Summer School in Finland, featuring industry experts guiding attendees on future challenges

2020

During COVID-19, SubOptic hosts the Spotlight Series: online events where industry experts discuss various issues related to submarine telecoms.

2020

During COVID-19, SubOptic hosts the Spotlight Series: online events where industry experts discuss various issues related to submarine telecoms.

2021

The first English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 15 mentors and 16 mentees.

2021

The first English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 15 mentors and 16 mentees.

2021

The SubOptic Foundation is launched. Established as the charitable arm of the Association focussed on Education and training, Research initiatives and attracting and developing the next generation of subsea professionals.

2021

The SubOptic Foundation is launched. Established as the charitable arm of the Association focussed on Education and training, Research initiatives and attracting and developing the next generation of subsea professionals.

2022

CrewTube is launched: a SubOptic Foundation initiative to provide an online library of personal, short videos which document important aspects of the submarine cable industry.

2022

CrewTube is launched: a SubOptic Foundation initiative to provide an online library of personal, short videos which document important aspects of the submarine cable industry.

2022

The third Summer School takes place. The Subsea OFC school is founded by the SubOptic Foundation, Google, and Opitca Foundation.

2022

The third Summer School takes place. The Subsea OFC school is founded by the SubOptic Foundation, Google, and Opitca Foundation.

2022

The second English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 25 mentors and 26 mentees.

2022

The second English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 25 mentors and 26 mentees.

2023

SubOptic Bangkok 2023 takes place, led by Paul Gabla. The eleventh edition ‘For the Industry, by the Industry’, is the most attended yet, and features groundbreaking insights from leading global experts.

2023

SubOptic Bangkok 2023 takes place, led by Paul Gabla. The eleventh edition ‘For the Industry, by the Industry’, is the most attended yet, and features groundbreaking insights from leading global experts.

2023

The inaugural SubOptic Foundation Congress on Sustainability unites industry leaders to refine sustainability metrics, improve the subsea industry's carbon footprint, and shape actionable goals across a cable's lifecycle.

2023

The inaugural SubOptic Foundation Congress on Sustainability unites industry leaders to refine sustainability metrics, improve the subsea industry's carbon footprint, and shape actionable goals across a cable's lifecycle.

2023

The Sustainability Map goes live - created by Telegeography with the significant output of the SubOptic Foundation, and Nicole Starosielski and her team's research work on sustainability.

2023

The Sustainability Map goes live - created by Telegeography with the significant output of the SubOptic Foundation, and Nicole Starosielski and her team's research work on sustainability.

2023

The third English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 17 mentors and 17 mentees.

2023

The third English edition of the Mentorship Programme features 17 mentors and 17 mentees.

2023

The first Spanish edition of the Mentorship Programme features 11 mentors and 13 mentees.

2023

The first Spanish edition of the Mentorship Programme features 11 mentors and 13 mentees.

2024

The report on Best Practices in Subsea Telecommunications Cable Sustainability is published. It offers insights on CO₂ emissions mitigation efforts for subsea telecommunications cables, the global infrastructure that supports over 99% of the world’s transoceanic internet traffic.

2024

The report on Best Practices in Subsea Telecommunications Cable Sustainability is published. It offers insights on CO₂ emissions mitigation efforts for subsea telecommunications cables, the global infrastructure that supports over 99% of the world’s transoceanic internet traffic.

2024

After five years of successful collaboration, the Open Cables Working Group concludes its initial phase, having delivered foundational papers, contributions to ITU-T G.977.1, and impactful SubOptic sessions. Its work on GSNR, capacity, and spectrum sharing continues with a new working group advancing spectrum-sharing initiatives.

2024

After five years of successful collaboration, the Open Cables Working Group concludes its initial phase, having delivered foundational papers, contributions to ITU-T G.977.1, and impactful SubOptic sessions. Its work on GSNR, capacity, and spectrum sharing continues with a new working group advancing spectrum-sharing initiatives.

2024

The regional/local language symposia are rebranded WAVE. Since 2024, WAVE events have been held in Tokyo, London, Lisbon, Paris, Egypt, and LATAM and reached over 1500 attendees.

2024

The regional/local language symposia are rebranded WAVE. Since 2024, WAVE events have been held in Tokyo, London, Lisbon, Paris, Egypt, and LATAM and reached over 1500 attendees.

2025

SubOptic Lisbon ‘Future-proofing our digital landscape’. welcomed over 1000 attendees, 200 speakers and 50 exhibitors. making it SubOptic's most successful conference to date.

2025

SubOptic Lisbon ‘Future-proofing our digital landscape’. welcomed over 1000 attendees, 200 speakers and 50 exhibitors. making it SubOptic's most successful conference to date.

2025

The fourth English edition of the Mentorship Programme and 2nd edition of the Spanish programme were successfully completed in 2025 . Details on the 2026 editions will follow soon.

2025

The fourth English edition of the Mentorship Programme and 2nd edition of the Spanish programme were successfully completed in 2025 . Details on the 2026 editions will follow soon.

2025

SubOptic Working Groups come to the end of their cycle at SubOptic 2025. The output of these working groups can be seen on the resources page at the link below.

2025

SubOptic Working Groups come to the end of their cycle at SubOptic 2025. The output of these working groups can be seen on the resources page at the link below.

2025

Sustainable Subsea Networks initiative holds 2nd sustainability congress recommending 2 best practice papers at SubOptic 2025 in lisbon.

2025

Sustainable Subsea Networks initiative holds 2nd sustainability congress recommending 2 best practice papers at SubOptic 2025 in lisbon.

2025

SubOptic Association commissions a detailed report on the future of submarine cable maintenance, led by TeleGeography and Infra-Analytics.

2025

SubOptic Association commissions a detailed report on the future of submarine cable maintenance, led by TeleGeography and Infra-Analytics.

2025

New Certificate in Global Digital Infrastructure at UC Berkeley launched in partnership with SubOptic Foundation, iMasons, and DCD Academy.

2025

New Certificate in Global Digital Infrastructure at UC Berkeley launched in partnership with SubOptic Foundation, iMasons, and DCD Academy.

2025

SubOptic Announces that its next triennial conference will be held in Cape Town in 2028

2025

SubOptic Announces that its next triennial conference will be held in Cape Town in 2028

2025

The first student and young professional track sponsors 15 students from across the world to attend SubOptic 2025.

2025

The first student and young professional track sponsors 15 students from across the world to attend SubOptic 2025.

2026

SubOptic Association launches 6 new Working Groups . Members can view details of these working groups at the link below.

2026

SubOptic Association launches 6 new Working Groups . Members can view details of these working groups at the link below.

Working Together for the Industry

The SubOptic Association fosters industry collaboration, engages members, and drives working groups to identify critical issues and priorities. As the Association's philanthropic arm, the SubOptic Foundation is supported by grants and fundraising to conduct peer-reviewed research, develop educational programs, and deliver global symposia. Together, they take a holistic approach, ensuring research outcomes are translated into actionable recommendations for best practices and industry improvements.

SubOptic Association

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The Association provides a neutral platform for industry leaders, professionals, and organisations to share knowledge, establish best practices, and drive innovation. Through its working groups, events, and initiatives, the Association fosters meaningful connections that advance the industry.

SubOptic Foundation

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The Foundation extends the mission of the Association through a focus on education, research, and philanthropy. By supporting the next generation of industry leaders, funding sustainability and resilience studies, and raising resources for impactful projects, the Foundation ensures the long-term growth and inclusivity of the submarine cable industry.

Awareness

Publications

Access key resources

Next Gen

The future of our industry

Education

WAVE Symposia

Bringing together industry experts

Educational Programmes

Inspiring the next generation

Research

Sustainability Report

Subsea best practices guide

Strategic Resilience Project

Enhancing network security and reliability

Knowledge

Resources

Collection of past paper and presentation.

Industry News

Collection of SubOptic Industry news.

Innovation

Our Partners

Bringing together our industry partner

2025 Wrap up

Relive the Experience

Collaboration

Working Groups

Bringing together industry expert

Industry News

The latest news and updates from our industry

What We Stand For

At SubOptic, our core values drive everything we do, shaping our mission and guiding our impact on the submarine cable industry.  
These values are the foundation of our commitment to a connected, sustainable, and innovative future; enabled by the neutral platform that we provide to the industry.

Awareness

We promote and support events, resources and initiatives to promote awareness of the subsea telecommunications industry.

Sustainability

Our strategic initiatives promote best practices in sustainability, and act as an exemplar for the wider submarine industry.

Human Capital

We believe in investment in people is vital to the future of the submarine cable industry which is why we offer a comprehensive Next Gen programme.

Inclusive Industry Collaboration

Member-led Working Groups, including representatives from across the industry, are key in delivering the aims and objectives of the Association.

Join Us on Our Mission

Be part of the global movement shaping the future of submarine cable connectivity. SubOptic offers you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by:

Becoming a Member: Collaborate with leaders, access resources, and drive innovation.
Supporting Our Foundation: Fund education, research, and sustainability initiatives.
Learning More About Our Work: Explore how we’re transforming the industry through innovation and collaboration.

Discover the Latest News

Stay informed with our latest blog posts and news articles.

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