ESA backs automated satellite failover for submarine cables

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a €1.5 million contract to neXat, a satellite operations specialist, to develop a system that can automatically reroute internet traffic via satellites when submarine fiber optic cables fail. This "CableShield" project, in collaboration with Telesat and Colt Technology Services Belgium, aims to detect cable interruptions and switch affected traffic to satellite connectivity without manual intervention, targeting commercial deployment by 2028.