On this page
Three key points
A message can enter a local network and cross land and undersea cables.
Optical fibre carries information as light signals.
The Andijan-to-America line is an illustrative route, not a measured path taken by real traffic.
Where does the message go first?
A phone connects to a nearby network. The route from there depends on operators, network nodes and available backbones. Submarine cables are crucial between continents.
We do not claim every message from Andijan takes the exact route shown. Real traffic may follow another path as conditions change.
What is inside the cable?
The glass core and cladding of optical fibre guide light signals. Outer protective layers protect the cable mechanically.
The cross-section is not an engineering drawing of one manufacturer’s cable, nor is it to scale. The light does not shine into the surrounding water.
What does an amplifier do?
An optical signal weakens over long distances. Amplifiers in undersea systems help restore its strength.
An amplifier does not “speed up” the signal. Bright dots are an animation of data, not light escaping the cable.
Map and ocean shots
A satellite composite and ocean footage give a sense of place; the cable route is animated over them.
The ocean footage was not recorded over this particular cable. The NASA image is not live weather. The cover and cable cross-section are illustrations.
About the materials
NASA Earth Observatory Blue Marble; Natural Earth map shapes; ocean footage by K / Pexels. The characters are original vector animation.
Found an error?
If you find a specific error or a better source, send us the claim and its link. We will review it and date any correction on this page.
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