Bell undersea fibre internet cable cut for second time in a year

Bell Canada runs a giant fibre optic cable across the Cabot Strait from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia and it was cut twice in 2024.

According to The Canadian Press, the cable is roughly three centimetres thick and was sliced clean, as if someone had used a specialized tool to cut it. The initial slice was on Jan. 4, 2024, and the most recent one was on Dec. 24, 2024. Notably, both of these were in the winter, which should rule out all but the most dedicated scuba divers.

David Joice, Bell’s network director, says that there is a chance that an anchor snagged the cable and cut it. The lines are usually only about 30 metres below the surface. He also stresses that if you find yourself in a situation where you’re tangled in a network cable, do not cut it.

The line that was cut was a primary line for TV, internet and long-distance phone service in Newfoundland and Labrador. The cable has been repaired, and this time, remote vehicles have tried to dig it even further underwater than before. Bell is also looking into surveillance options.

Source: The Canadian Press