SubOptic

The SubOptic Association and Foundation aims to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance the global submarine cable industry by discussing and advocate for innovation, education and furher iniciates as events and others.

The SubOptic Association, established in 1986, serves as a neutral platform for the global submarine telecommunications industry, promoting innovation and sustainability through collaboration and knowledge-sharing. In 2021, the SubOptic Foundation was established as the charitable arm of the Association, focusing on education, research, and workforce development to support the industry's long-term growth. Together, they advance the submarine cable ecosystem by fostering partnerships, developing best practices, and empowering professionals worldwide.

SubOpitc have nine working groups to discuss themes related to submarine cables development.

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Open Cables
• Global Citizen
• Fibre Innovation
• Open Cable Management
• Spectrum Sharing
• Marine & Cable
• Environmental Sensing
• Network Element Naming

Mission

SubOptic Association - To be the voice of the industry, promoting innovation and sustainability of the global communications fabric.

The Association provides a neutral platform for industry leaders, professionals, and organisations to share knowledge, establish best practices, and drive innovation. Through its working groups, events, and initiatives, the Association fosters meaningful connections that advance the industry.

SubOptic Foundation - To inspire, engage, and enlighten those who work within, or show interest in joining the subsea telecoms industry

The Foundation extends the mission of the Association through a focus on education, research, and philanthropy. By supporting the next generation of industry leaders, funding sustainability and resilience studies, and raising resources for impactful projects, the Foundation ensures the long-term growth and inclusivity of the submarine cable industry.

Activities

SubOptic offers you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by:

• Becoming a Member: Collaborate with leaders, access resources, and drive innovation.
• Supporting Our Foundation: Fund education, research, and sustainability initiatives.
• Learning More About Our Work: Explore how we’re transforming the industry through innovation and collaboration.

Some of the offered programms are:

• Next Gen
• Education
• Research

The SubOptic Association organizes and participates in a variety of events aimed at fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation within the submarine telecommunications industry. These events provide platforms for industry professionals to network, discuss emerging trends, and address challenges.

Key Events:

• ICPC Plenary 2025: Scheduled for April 15–17, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This annual meeting of the International Cable Protection Committee will focus on submarine cable protection under the theme "The Big Squeeze: Geopolitics & Spatial Planning."
• International Telecoms Week (ITW) 2025: Set for May 5–7, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbour, MD. ITW serves as a global platform for telecoms and ICT infrastructure professionals. SubOptic members are offered a 10% discount with the code SUBOPTIC10.
• SubOptic 2025: Planned for June 2–5, 2025, at the Lisbon Congress Centre in Lisbon. This triennial conference is recognized as the longest-running and most comprehensive event for the submarine connectivity industry.
• Voice & Messaging World 2025: Scheduled for June 3–4, 2025, in London, United Kingdom. This event focuses on voice, VoIP, messaging, CPaaS, RBM, e-SIM, mobile identity, and authentication.
• Capacity Eurasia 2025: Set for July 1–2, 2025, at the InterContinental in Istanbul, Turkey. This networking event aims to build connections across Eurasia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Caucasus, and CIS regions.
• Platform Global 2025: Planned for September 7–9, 2025, at the Palais des Congrès d'Antibes. SubOptic is a media partner for this event, offering members a 10% discount with the code SUPOPTIC10.
• Capacity Europe 2025: Scheduled for October 21–23, 2025, at the Intercontinental at the O2 in London, United Kingdom. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this event will gather over 3,000 decision-makers from the global connectivity and digital infrastructure community.
• WAVE Series 2025: A series of regional events focusing on submarine cable industry topics:
  • WAVE Japan: December 1–2, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • WAVE Uruguay: December 3–4, 2025, in Montevideo, Uruguay.
  • WAVE Brazil: December 6–7, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil.
  • WAVE Egypt: December 14–15, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt.

These events underscore SubOptic's commitment to advancing the submarine telecommunications sector by facilitating dialogue, education, and collaborative initiatives among industry stakeholders.

Key Publications

In their website, it is posible to consult papers and presentations aiming to contribute to the discussion on shaping a more sustainable and connected world.

Leadership

The SubOptic Association's leadership team is responsible for guiding the organization's mission and strategic direction within the submarine telecommunications industry. The Executive Committee, composed of industry leaders from diverse backgrounds, focuses on setting strategic priorities, overseeing governance, and driving industry initiatives that promote innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Key Members of the Executive Committee:

• Paul Gabla, President: Currently serving as the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Alcatel Submarine Networks, Paul brings over 30 years of experience in the Telecommunications, Aerospace, and Defence industries, with more than 20 years dedicated to submarine networks. He is an advocate for the critical role of submarine networks in global telecommunications infrastructure. Paul is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique and Telecom ParisTech.
• Alice Shelton, Vice President: A senior executive in the Global Submarine sales team at Ciena, Alice began her career as a design engineer at STC Submarine Systems. With experience as a Technical Project Manager in Paris and roles in Sales and Marketing, she has been actively involved with SubOptic since 1997, serving as Papers Chair in 2013 and Programme Chair in 2016. Alice holds a Physics degree from Durham University and is a Fellow of the UK Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The Executive Committee's responsibilities include defining long-term goals to address the evolving needs of the submarine cable industry, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational objectives, and leading projects and programs that foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the global submarine cable community.

The SubOptic Foundation, established as the philanthropic arm of the SubOptic Association, focuses on advancing education, research, and sustainability within the submarine telecommunications industry. Its leadership comprises two branches operating in the United States and the United Kingdom, each with independent Boards of Trustees collaborating toward shared goals. ​suboptic.org

Key Leadership Roles:

• President: Erick Contag leads the Foundation, bringing extensive experience in the submarine cable sector to guide its strategic initiatives. ​suboptic.org
• Board of Advisors: This group consists of distinguished leaders from telecommunications, academia, policy-making, and technology sectors. They provide non-binding strategic advice to the Trustees and Executive Leadership on industry trends, technological advancements, and policy developments. ​suboptic.org

The Foundation's leadership structure ensures effective governance and the successful implementation of programs aimed at fostering innovation and inclusivity in the global submarine cable community.

External Links

• Official Website