Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
We're testing a beta version of this website that uses AI to translate webpages into Chinese, Malay or Tamil.

Try it out at beta.mddi.gov.sg (opens in new tab)

Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Parliament

MDDI's Response to PQ on Submarine Cables Resilience

10 September 2026

Parliament Sitting on 10 September 2026

Question for Oral Answer

*12. Dr Neo Kok Beng asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in respect of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE) (a) how many incidents of denial of services were attempted; (b) what are the surveillance and monitoring mechanisms that are in place; and (c) what are the strategies and measures to ensure resiliency of services.

Answer

  1. Globally, most submarine cable disruptions result from accidental damage caused by fishing and anchoring activities. Industry data indicates about 150 to 200 such incidents occurring worldwide each year. Singapore’s international connectivity has nevertheless remained resilient due to the diversity and volume of our connections to other countries.

  2. International cooperation is essential because submarine cables span multiple jurisdictions, and issues can be transboundary. For example, IMDA has information-sharing arrangements with partner governments and industry stakeholders to monitor submarine cable systems. Operators must also promptly notify IMDA of cable incidents affecting their systems, and repair cable cuts and restore affected services expeditiously.