The world’s first transatlantic fiber-optic cable is being ripped up after 37 years on the sea floor — TAT-8 to be removed after entering service in 1988, broke in 2002

The world's first transatlantic fiber-optic cable, TAT-8, laid in 1988 and retired in 2002 due to a costly fault, is currently being removed from the seabed near Portugal by Subsea Environmental Services. TAT-8 was a groundbreaking cable system that marked the shift from copper to optical fiber for transoceanic communication, setting the model for subsequent undersea cables. The recovery operation faces challenges from the weather, with the cable's components, including copper and steel, slated for recycling due to their value. This removal highlights the importance of responsible cable recovery to clear routes for new cables and address potential resource shortages.