Western Europe Submarine Cable Market Outlook 2025 to 2035

The submarine cable industry in Western Europe is crucial for the continuity of the connectivity that holds the sphere united, providing the high-speed Internet, telecommunication, and data transfer that surpasses continents. In 2025, the market was worth USD 769.2 million and would surpass USD 1,095.6 million by the end of 2035, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% in the period between 2025 and 2035.

Demand for data is increasing worldwide as cloud computing, 5G technologies, IoT, and big data become ubiquitous which creates demand for strong and efficient submarine cables. Submarine cables form a vital part of the connections between data centres, international communication and the operations of businesses around the world. Western Europe, strategically located with key entry points to North America, Africa, and Asia, occupies a central role in the submarine cable business.

Market Metrics

Metric Value
Market Size (2025E) USD 769.2 Million
Market Value (2035F) USD 1,095.6 Million
CAGR (2025 to 2035) 3.6%

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Regional Market Trends

Germany

Germany serves as a focal point for Western Europe’s submarine cable market. Germany remains a lifeblood for digital connectivity with its strong economy and advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The need for the submarine cables in the country originates from the growing dependence on data centres, cloud services and high-speed internet.

Germany is a trailblazer of innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly submarine solution. Moreover, investment in internet infrastructure (e.g., expansion of 5G/broadband networks) backed by German government opens other growth avenues for the submarine cable sector.

Italy

Italy’s strategic position in the submarine cable market helping connect Europe to North Africa and the Middle East offers it an economic opportunity. This increasing focus on digital infrastructure, expansion of data centres, and high-speed internet services is likely to propel the demand for submarine cable in the region.

The progress of eco-friendly submarine cable technology fits Italy, as both countries are turning to sustainable energy. Italy is a country with excellent growth prospects for submarine cable operations, thanks to the expansion of broadband and telecom networks within its territory and a good strategic position for the transmission of data between continents.

France

Due to its international connectivity and mature telecom infrastructure, France plays a key role in the submarine cable ecosystem. The country’s appetite for submarine cables is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed, more reliable internet to power industries like finance, health care and entertainment.

In telecommunications, France is investing massively in sustainable technologies reducing carbon emissions. Submarine cable infrastructure will be in a demand surge with the French government initiatives to increase internet equipotentiality in the country, especially for underserved areas. The French commitment to green technology also provides an opportunity for innovation in dark green cabling.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

Infrastructure Costs and Regulatory Hurdles

The global submarine cable market is challenged by their installation and maintenance costs. This task requires a significant investment in capital as it involves ships, the production of cables, and their subsea installation.

Traditionally, acquiring necessary permits for cable routes and ensuring compliance with national and international regulations has created regulatory constraints that may cause delays and increase expenses for projects. Environmental issues and geopolitical tensions further complicate the situation, frequently creating obstacles to the approval of new cable routes.

Opportunities

Demand from 5G, AI, and Renewable Energy Integration

In addition, growth in high-capacity data transfer, especially driven by 5G networks, AI, and big data, is creating one of the significant opportunities in the submarine cable market. As low-latency, high-speed communication becomes more and more critical for industries like finance, health care and autonomous vehicles, demand for submarine cables will continue to surge.

Another growth area is the additional deployment of submarine cables tied to renewable energy, which will be in accordance with global carbon reduction goals. The development will lead to the implementation of sustainable submarine cables that reduce their environmental footprint, spur innovation and investment in the industry.

Shifts in the Submarine Cable Industry in Western Europe from 2020 to 2024 and Future Trends 2025 to 2035

Submarine Cable Industry in Western Europe had a dynamic transformation 2025 to 2035, primarily due to increase in service demand, data transmission, communication networks expansion across globe etc.This drives demand for next-generation submarine cable infrastructure with increased capacity and lower costs as cloud adoption and digitalization increases around the world, alongside more data centers and increased cloud service provider investments, smart networks, and previous shortages in submarine networks, considering future demand for 5G networks, IoT and digital economies.

Western Europe is the essential interconnection point between North America, Asia and Africa, which is why the submarine cables network in this region is crucial for global connectivity.

Market Shifts: 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035

Key Dimensions 2020 to 2024
Cable Technology Single-core cables, traditional fiber -optic systems
Deployment Focus Transatlantic and intra-European connections
Key Drivers Expanding internet connectivity, 5G rollouts, data center demand
Regulatory Landscape Compliance with regional and international standards
Environmental Considerations Limited focus on sustainability
Geographic Hotspots UK, France, Germany, Netherlands
R&D Investment Focus Fiber -optic technology, network resilience
Key Dimensions 2025 to 2035
Cable Technology Multi-core cables, advanced fiber -optics, hybrid cable systems
Deployment Focus High-capacity transcontinental links, offshore wind energy cables
Key Drivers Green energy transmission, IoT, 5G, cross-continent data traffic, digital economy
Regulatory Landscape Growing focus on sustainability, eco-friendly manufacturing, and data privacy
Environmental Considerations Eco-friendly cable materials, reduced environmental impact, offshore wind cable adoption
Geographic Hotspots Expanding networks to Africa, Asia-Pacific, and enhanced inter-Europe connections
R&D Investment Focus High-capacity fiber cables, subsea energy transmission, green cable materials

Country-wise Insights

Spain

Spain is bolstering its submarine cable market as Spain is positioned as a strategic player in submarine cable networks that connect important regions; Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Positive government initiatives, including the promotion of broadband digital infrastructure and support for sustainable energy-related projects, will continue to drive submarine cable installations for telecommunications and renewable energy applications in Spain. Furthermore, Spain’s robust maritime industry lends additional strength to its increasing significance in the submarine cable space.

The increasing demand for high-bandwidth internet, cloud services and data centres is driving a significant growth in submarine cables constructing in Spain. And companies are looking at submarine cables for offshore wind farms in an effort to improve energy transmission from renewables.

Country CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Spain 10.2%

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom submarine cable market is expected to benefit from increasing demand for speedier end-to-end connectivity and major investments in offshore energy projects. The UK is a critical hub for submarine cable landing stations, especially in London and Cornwall that link the UK to continental Europe, North America, and other markets worldwide. The emphasis on expanding 5G networks and improving the digital infrastructure in the UK is further driving the growth of the market.

The UK government had been emphasizing sustainability and developing offshore wind farms,thus leading to more investments for energy transmission through submarine cables. Ongoing cross-border connectivity in telecommunications and power is likely to boost the market further.

Country CAGR (2025 to 2035)
United Kingdom 11.5%

BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)

The BENELUX submarine cable market is growing steadily due to the strategic geographical location of the Netherlands and Belgium as a submarine cable connectivity hub in Europe. These nations are closely connected to other parts of the world including the United States and Northern Europe and play a key role in transmitting data globally. Meanwhile, global demand for high-speed internet, data centre infrastructure and cloud services is fuelling investment in new submarine cables around the region.

Especially the Netherlands is doubling down on its digital infrastructure and energy transmission via renewables, where submarine cables are essential in bringing the offshore wind into the on-land energy grids. The intersection of digital and energy connectivity is forecasted to propel significant growth in the submarine cable space within the region.

Region CAGR (2025 to 2035)
BENELUX 10.3%

Submarine Cable Industry Analysis in Western Europe - Segmentation Outlook

Increasing Demand for Submarine Connectivity and Expansion of Offshore Energy Projects Driving Growth in Oil-Filled Cables and Service Solutions

Demand for high capacity, dependable, and long-distance data transmission solutions are fueling the growth of the submarine cable sector in Western Europe. As countries and regions increasingly seek to interconnect, and as offshore energy projects such as wind farms become more commonplace, submarine cables are becoming a critical component of the region’s infrastructure.

Segments for submarine cable type, filling type provide insights about trends that are consistent with technological advancements in offshore connectivity and energy distribution. Service solutions and the durability of oil filled cables will help meet the high demand for submarine cables in the years to come.

Service Solutions Gaining Traction Due to Increasing Maintenance and Installation Demands

Solution Type Market Share (2025)
Service 61.2%

By 2025, services solution segment will continue to dominate the submarine cable industry in Western Europe, capturing 61.2% market share. Such dominance is attributed to the growing demand for submarine cables maintenance, installation and upgrade service. As offshore wind energy projects are expanding at a rapid pace, and the need for data transmission is continuously increasing between regions, service solutions are imperative to ensure that the cables are serviced, maintained and operated in an efficient manner.

Particular services are also contributing toward the growth of this segment particularly in conditions like deep-sea and weather-contended regions. Besides, the service providers are the ones that know and understand how to execute such complex and comprehensive underwater cable laying operations which require very high accuracy and reliability.

Oil-Filled Cables Leading the Market due to Superior Performance in Harsh Environments

Filling Type Market Share (2025)
Oil or Fluid Filled Cables 72.9%

As a filling type, oil-filled cables is a segment that dominates the overall landscape in Western Europe with a 72.9% market share in 2025. This trend is attributed to the fact that oil or fluid filled cables are known to be more reliable and performing, high-performance, insulating, protecting & high-performance cables that can work under underwater conditions.

These subsea cable systems, are subject to extreme conditions, such as pressure and temperature fluctuations, and are used in deep-sea applications such as offshore energy transmission and long-distance communication networks.

Oil-filled cables are superior mechanically and are protected against corrosion and moisture ingress, and they are also greatly superior in the long term. Their persistent application in critical infrastructure, making an anchor in offshore energy and transnational communication ventures, guarantees the ceaseless prerequisite for those oil-filled answers for submarine link industry.

Competitive Outlook

Western Europe is witnessing a high growth in submarine cables owing to the increased demand for high-speed, robust data transmission for telecommunication, internet and energy applications. The growing demand for 5G networks, cloud computing and data centre demand is fuelling large investment in submarine cable infrastructure, in particular in the North Sea and the English Channel.

Growing demand for bandwidth has begun to spur increased investment in deep-sea technologies, enhanced cable durability, and eco-friendly materials. Moreover, the increasing facilities towards renewable energy projects, such as offshore wind farms, are accelerating the demand for strong submarine cable systems for power transmission. Collaboration between major cable producers, energy companies, and governments are increasingly common in this area.

Market Share Analysis by Company in Western Europe

Company Name Estimated Market Share (%)
Nexans 20-25%
Prysmian Group 18-22%
SubCom (TE SubCom ) 15-20%
Huawei Marine Networks 12-16%
Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (Nokia) 10-14%
Other Companies (combined) 25-30%

Key Company Offerings and Activities in Western Europe

Company Name Key Offerings/Activities
Nexans In 2024, expanded offshore wind energy cable systems in the North Sea; in 2025, introduced new cable designs for enhanced resilience against extreme weather conditions.
Prysmian Group In 2024, launched a next-generation, high-capacity submarine cable with low environmental impact; in 2025, expanded operations to support European data center interconnection projects.
SubCom (TE SubCom ) In 2024, completed the installation of a new transatlantic cable system for enhanced data traffic; in 2025, focused on expanding its footprint in the offshore energy sector with the development of high-voltage cables.
Huawei Marine Networks In 2024, extended its submarine cable network in the Mediterranean region; in 2025, focused on establishing strategic partnerships for new trans-Atlantic cable systems.
Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (Nokia) In 2024, launched a project to develop ultra-fast, ultra-durable submarine cables for the North Sea region; in 2025, collaborated with European governments on new undersea cable infrastructure for 5G connectivity.

Key Company Insights

Nexans (20-25%)

Nexans strengthens its position as #1 supplier in the Western European submarine cable market based on sustainability, new cable designs and renewable energy applications. Nexans further strengthened its position in 2024 with the development of next-generation cable technology for offshore wind farms, introducing products to improve cable lifespan and energy efficiency.

Prysmian Group (18-22%)

PRYSMIAN GROUP SOP is a global leader in the submarine cable market, providing innovative technology for telecommunications and energy segments. The purpose is strongly recommend the environment footprint less and improve the datacom, and they presented a new generation of high-capacity cables in 2024 for one of the project states in the supreme European interconnections of data centers.

SubCom (TE SubCom) (15-20%)

SubCom specializes in the high-demand transatlantic and intercontinental cable systems and is investing heavily in next-generation underwater cables. Wanted to branch out even further, into offshore energy, providing HVDC cables for the offshore wind market, which is on the rise in Europe.

Huawei Marine Networks (12-16%)

Huawei Marine Networks LLC has seen a rapid expansion in the Mediterranean marine networking, expanding the scale of submarine cables, improving coverage and capacity. Huawei is positioning itself as the world's premier telecom cable provider, with plans for long-term partnerships to invest in trans-Atlantic cable projects as European infrastructural investment momentum continues to grow.

Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (Nokia)(10 - 14%)

Alcatel-Lucent (Nokia) currently specializes in delivering high-speed, extremely resilient submarine cables geared to the key telecom and energy markets of Europe. Telia Company is delivering its growth in the Western European market, owing to its investments in the latest cable technologies and partnership with government in the improvement of 5G networks.

Other Key Players (25-30% Combined)

Other companies that have a big part in the underwater cable field in Western Europe are:

  • Global Marine Systems Limited - They lead in fixing, setting up, and taking care of deep-sea cables, for both phone and power lines.
  • Ciena Corporation - They are known for giving strong cable systems for phone use in Europe.
  • Fujitsu - They work on fiber-optic answers for undersea cables, mainly in the Mediterranean and North Sea.
  • Tata Communications - They grow their world web of undersea cables, aiming to stretch more in Europe and link data centers in Western Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the overall size of the submarine cable industry in Western Europe in 2025?

The overall market size for the submarine cable industry in Western Europe was USD 769.2 million in 2025.

How big is the submarine cable industry in Western Europe expected to be in 2035?

The submarine cable industry in Western Europe is expected to reach USD 1,095.6 million in 2035.

What will drive the demand for the submarine cable industry in Western Europe during the forecast period?

The increasing demand for data as cloud computing, 5G technologies, IoT, and big data become ubiquitous will drive the demand for the submarine cable industry in Western Europe.

Which countries are expected to lead the submarine cable industry in Western Europe?

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain are expected to be the top contributors due to their strategic locations, strong maritime infrastructure, and significant investments in offshore energy projects.

Which application segment is expected to lead in the submarine cable industry in Western Europe?

The Oil or Fluid Filled Cables segment is expected to lead the submarine cable industry in Western Europe.

Table of Content
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Industry Introduction, including Taxonomy and Market Definition
  3. Industry Trends and Success Factors, including Macro-economic Factors, Market Dynamics, and Recent Industry Developments
  4. Industry Demand Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, including Historical Analysis and Future Projections
  5. Pricing Analysis
  6. Industry Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035
    • Solution Type
    • Filling Type
    • End Use Type
  7. Industry Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, By Solution Type
    • Product
    • Service
  8. Industry Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, By Filling Type
    • Oil or Fluid Filled Cables
    • Solid Filled Cables
  9. Industry Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, By End Use Type
    • Telecommunication
    • Oil and Gas
    • Renewable Energy
    • Telecommunications
    • Defense
    • Others
    • Other End Use Types
  10. Industry Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, By Region
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • France
    • Spain
    • Value (USD Million) & Volume (United Kingdom)
    • BENELUX
    • Rest of Western Europe
  11. Germany Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  12. Italy Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  13. France Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  14. Spain Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  15. Value (USD Million) & Volume (Unit)ed Kingdom Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  16. BENELUX Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  17. Rest of Western Europe Sales Analysis 2020 to 2024 and Forecast 2025 to 2035, by Key Segments and Countries
  18. Sales Forecast 2025 to 2035 by Solution Type, Filling Type, and End Use Type for 30 Countries
  19. Competition Outlook, including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard
  20. Company Profile
    • ABB
    • Alcatel Submarine Networks
    • Hydro Group plc
    • JDR Cable Systems Ltd.
    • NKT Cables Group GmbH
    • TE Connectivity Corporation
    • Prysmian Group
    • Nexans S.A.
    • J-Power Systems Corporation
    • NEC Corporation

Key segments of the Submarine Cable Industry in Western Europe include:

By Solution Type:

  • Product
  • Service

By Filling Type:

  • Oil or Fluid Filled Cables
  • Solid Filled Cables

By End Use Type:

  • Oil and Gas
  • Renewable Energy
  • Telecommunications
  • Defense
  • ther End Use Types

By Country:

  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • BENELUX
  • Rest of Western Europe

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Western Europe Submarine Cable Market