CompareMarketResearchRequest a sample
Home / Technology / Submarine Cable

Technology · Market report

Submarine Cable Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global submarine cable market is worth USD 14.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 31.8 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Subsea power export and interconnector cable is the largest by type segment.

USD 14.7 bnMarket size 2026
USD 31.8 bnForecast 2036
8.0%CAGR 2026-2036
ChinaLargest country

Request a free sample Jump to the forecast

Report price: Starts from USD 1,999

5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global submarine cable market is worth USD 14.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 31.8 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Subsea power export and interconnector cable is the largest by type segment.

ScopeSubmarine telecommunications and power cable systems: supply, laying and protection of repeatered and unrepeatered fibre cables and subsea power export, interconnector and array cables.
IndustryTechnology
Value 2025USD 13.5 bn
Value 2026USD 14.7 bn
Value 2036USD 31.8 bn
CAGR 2026-20368.0%
Volume 202653.7 thousand kilometres
Volume 203699.9 thousand kilometres
Average price 2026USD 274,000 per kilometre
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

Request a free sample of this report

Submarine Cable market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global submarine cable market is forecast to grow from USD 14.7 bn in 2026 to USD 31.8 bn by 2036, more than doublingGlobal market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 8.0%
Submarine Cable market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 13.5 bn; 2026: USD 14.7 bn; 2027: USD 15.9 bn; 2028: USD 17.2 bn; 2029: USD 18.5 bn; 2030: USD 20.0 bn; 2031: USD 21.6 bn; 2032: USD 23.4 bn; 2033: USD 25.2 bn; 2034: USD 27.2 bn; 2035: USD 29.4 bn; 2036: USD 31.8 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 8.0%.202514.7 bn202621.6 bn203131.8 bn20368.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 14.7 bn
2027USD 15.9 bn
2028USD 17.2 bn
2029USD 18.5 bn
2030USD 20.0 bn
2031USD 21.6 bn
2032USD 23.4 bn
2033USD 25.2 bn
2034USD 27.2 bn
2035USD 29.4 bn
2036USD 31.8 bn

Submarine Cable market segmentation

By type

Exhibit 2Subsea power export and interconnector cable is the largest segment by type, with 45.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by type
Submarine Cable market share by type, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by type. Subsea power export and interconnector cable: 45.0%; Submarine telecom cable: 35.0%; Offshore wind array cable: 20.0%.Subsea power export and interconnector cable45.0%Submarine telecom cable35.0%Offshore wind array cable20.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Submarine telecom cable35.0%34.0%USD 5.2 bn7.7%
Subsea power export and interconnector cable45.0%43.7%USD 6.6 bn7.7%
Offshore wind array cable20.0%22.3%USD 2.9 bn9.2%

By application

Exhibit 3Offshore wind adds the most revenue by application, growing from USD 5.6 bn in 2026 to USD 13.6 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by application, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Submarine Cable market by application, 2026 and 2036Revenue by application in 2026 and 2036. Offshore wind: USD 5.6 bn in 2026, USD 13.6 bn in 2036, change +143%; Telecom and data infrastructure: USD 5.2 bn in 2026, USD 10.9 bn in 2036, change +112%; Interconnectors: USD 2.5 bn in 2026, USD 5.1 bn in 2036, change +102%; Oil and gas, islands and others: USD 1.5 bn in 2026, USD 2.2 bn in 2036, change +52%.20262036 forecastChangeOffshore wind+143%5.6 bn13.6 bnTelecom and data infrastructure+112%5.2 bn10.9 bnInterconnectors+102%2.5 bn5.1 bnOil and gas, islands and others+52%1.5 bn2.2 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Telecom and data infrastructure35.0%34.3%USD 5.2 bn7.8%
Offshore wind38.0%42.7%USD 5.6 bn9.3%
Interconnectors17.0%15.9%USD 2.5 bn7.3%
Oil and gas, islands and others10.0%7.0%USD 1.5 bn4.3%

By installation depth

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Shallow water below 200 m46.0%50.0%USD 6.8 bn8.9%
Deep water 200 to 2,000 m36.0%34.0%USD 5.3 bn7.4%
Ultra-deep water above 2,000 m18.0%16.0%USD 2.6 bn6.7%

By cable technology

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Repeatered fibre-optic38.0%34.0%USD 5.6 bn6.8%
Unrepeatered fibre-optic12.0%9.0%USD 1.8 bn4.9%
HVAC power cable24.0%26.0%USD 3.5 bn8.9%
HVDC power cable26.0%31.0%USD 3.8 bn9.9%

By service

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Cable supply58.0%54.0%USD 8.5 bn7.2%
Installation and laying30.0%32.0%USD 4.4 bn8.7%
Maintenance and repair12.0%14.0%USD 1.8 bn9.7%

Top 25 countries for submarine cable by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 75.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 91.5%.

Exhibit 4China is the largest country market at USD 2.4 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 39.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Submarine Cable market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. China: USD 2.4 bn, 16.0%; United Kingdom: USD 1.8 bn, 12.0%; United States: USD 1.6 bn, 11.0%; Germany: USD 1.3 bn, 9.0%; Netherlands: USD 883 mn, 6.0%; France: USD 883 mn, 6.0%; Taiwan: USD 589 mn, 4.0%; Japan: USD 589 mn, 4.0%; Denmark: USD 589 mn, 4.0%; India: USD 441 mn, 3.0%.China2.4 bn 16.0%United Kingdom1.8 bn 12.0%United States1.6 bn 11.0%Germany1.3 bn 9.0%Netherlands883 mn 6.0%France883 mn 6.0%Taiwan589 mn 4.0%Japan589 mn 4.0%Denmark589 mn 4.0%India441 mn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1ChinaUSD 2.4 bn16.0%USD 5.4 bn8.6%
2United KingdomUSD 1.8 bn12.0%USD 3.7 bn7.6%
3United StatesUSD 1.6 bn11.0%USD 3.5 bn8.1%
4GermanyUSD 1.3 bn9.0%USD 2.8 bn7.6%
5NetherlandsUSD 883 mn6.0%USD 1.9 bn8.2%
6FranceUSD 883 mn6.0%USD 1.8 bn7.6%
7TaiwanUSD 589 mn4.0%USD 1.4 bn9.0%
8JapanUSD 589 mn4.0%USD 1.0 bn5.6%
9DenmarkUSD 589 mn4.0%USD 1.2 bn7.7%
10IndiaUSD 441 mn3.0%USD 1.3 bn11.7%
11NorwayUSD 419 mn2.9%USD 766 mn6.2%
12ItalyUSD 352 mn2.4%USD 642 mn6.2%
13SpainUSD 296 mn2.0%USD 569 mn6.8%
14TurkeyUSD 249 mn1.7%USD 565 mn8.6%
15PolandUSD 209 mn1.4%USD 457 mn8.2%
16MexicoUSD 175 mn1.2%USD 391 mn8.4%
17Saudi ArabiaUSD 147 mn1.0%USD 372 mn9.7%
18IndonesiaUSD 124 mn0.8%USD 321 mn10.0%
19South AfricaUSD 104 mn0.7%USD 213 mn7.4%
20United Arab EmiratesUSD 87 mn0.6%USD 210 mn9.2%
21ThailandUSD 74 mn0.5%USD 165 mn8.4%
22SwedenUSD 62 mn0.4%USD 114 mn6.3%
23BelgiumUSD 52 mn0.3%USD 95 mn6.3%
24EgyptUSD 44 mn0.3%USD 111 mn9.7%
25RussiaUSD 37 mn0.2%USD 64 mn5.6%
Rest of worldUSD 1.2 bn8.5%USD 2.6 bn7.6%
Exhibit 5China and United Kingdom account for 29% of the USD 17.1 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Submarine Cable market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 14.7 bn. China: +USD 3.0 bn; United Kingdom: +USD 1.9 bn; United States: +USD 1.9 bn; Germany: +USD 1.4 bn; Netherlands: +USD 1.1 bn; 20 other countries: +USD 6.4 bn; Rest of world: +USD 1.4 bn. Market value 2036: USD 31.8 bn.Market value 202614.7 bnChina+3.0 bnUnited Kingdom+1.9 bnUnited States+1.9 bnGermany+1.4 bnNetherlands+1.1 bn20 other countries+6.4 bnRest of world+1.4 bnMarket value 203631.8 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Prysmian
  • Nexans
  • NKT
  • Sumitomo Electric
  • NEC Corporation
  • HMN Technologies

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Alcatel Submarine Networks
  • SubCom
  • Hengtong Group
  • LS Cable & System
  • JDR Cable Systems
  • Hellenic Cables
  • Orient Cable (NBO)

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • ZTT
  • Furukawa Electric
  • OCC Corporation
  • Global Marine Group
  • Orange Marine

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the submarine cable market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 8.0% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by type, by application, by installation depth, by cable technology, by service. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the submarine cable market?

The global submarine cable market is estimated at USD 13.5 bn in 2025 and USD 14.7 bn in 2026.

How fast will the submarine cable market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 31.8 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 8.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 17.1 bn.

Which country is the largest market for submarine cable?

China is the largest market by revenue at USD 2.4 bn in 2026, 16.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 39.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 11.7% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which submarine cable segment is largest?

In the by type split, Subsea power export and interconnector cable is the largest segment with 45.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading submarine cable companies?

Global leaders include Prysmian, Nexans, NKT, Sumitomo Electric.

Need the full report?

Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.

Request a free sample

Related markets in Technology

← Streaming Data Platforms Subscription Billing →

All Technology markets →

Request a sample