The Italian Senate is currently reviewing a draft bill aimed at enhancing the security and governance of submarine cable infrastructure
Sparkle CEO Enrico Bagnasco has called for improved coordination between civil, military and international authorities, alongside more efficient authorisation processes, to better protect submarine cable infrastructure critical to global internet traffic.
Speaking before the Italian Senate during a parliamentary hearing on proposed legislation concerning underwater infrastructure, Bagnasco welcomed the draft law as a crucial step toward safeguarding Italy’s role in global connectivity. While the bill’s exact provisions are under discussion, it is looking to introduce measures for streamlined permitting processes, improved coordination among civil and military authorities and enhanced protection of undersea cables within Italy’s jurisdiction.
The potential impact of this legislation is significant. By addressing the complexities involved in laying and maintaining submarine cables – such as navigating environmental regulations, securing multiple permits, and coordinating with various governmental bodies – the bill seeks to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that can delay infrastructure projects. This is particularly pertinent given the strategic importance of the Mediterranean Sea, and how much of global internet traffic passes through it.
Bagnasco emphasised the central role of submarine cables in global digital infrastructure, pointing out that more than 98 percent of international internet traffic depends on them. He stressed that the TIM subsidiary’s reach extends far beyond Italy, with strategic corridors running from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and across the Americas and Africa. He noted the increasing complexity of installing and maintaining these systems, particularly in geopolitically sensitive maritime zones such as the Mediterranean.
Drawing from Sparkle’s operational experience, including the ongoing construction of the Blue-Raman cable linking Milan-Genoa to Mumbai via the Red Sea, Bagnasco identified authorisation delays – especially near landing sites – as a significant bottleneck. He urged legislators to streamline the often fragmented permitting process involving multiple Italian authorities, particularly where environmental, maritime and safety regulations intersect.
“Permits for cable laying and landing are increasingly complex and can hinder timely deployments,” he said. “The proposed law should aim to harmonise these procedures and reduce administrative burdens.”
Bagnasco also highlighted concerns about a 40-metre depth threshold mentioned in the draft bill, warning that this limit could have widely varying implications depending on local geography. He called for clearer language and a recognition that submarine infrastructure continues beyond this depth and must be managed holistically.
In a firm endorsement of enhanced governance, he stressed the need for cross-border and EU-level coordination, underscoring that submarine cable infrastructure is intrinsically transnational. He pointed to Sparkle’s active cooperation with the Italian Navy, including a protocol signed in July 2023 that enables real-time monitoring of undersea activity. Sparkle is also participating in two national research projects to advance subsea technologies.
The Italian bill aligns with broader European Union initiatives to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure. The EU has recognised the need for a coordinated approach to safeguard submarine cables against physical threats and cyber vulnerabilities. Efforts include developing comprehensive action plans that focus on prevention, detection, response and deterrence of potential disruptions to undersea networks.
Route diversity
Reliability and redundancy were also key themes in Bagnasco’s remarks. He described route diversity as not just a commercial tool but also a resilience strategy, citing Sparkle’s decision to route Blue-Raman through the Strait of Messina rather than the more congested Sicily Channel as a deliberate move to bolster network robustness.
In conclusion, Bagnasco called for mechanisms to support investments in new technologies that improve the security and resilience of cable systems. He noted that while such innovations are critical, they may not generate immediate commercial returns and would benefit from public-private support structures.
The Senate is currently evaluating the draft legislation’s scope and implications as part of a wider national strategy to reinforce the security and competitiveness of Italy’s digital infrastructure.
