On: What the damaged Svalbard cable looked like

[orlp]

The optical signal repeaters that are part of the cable every N kilometers need power to do their job.

[Waterluvian → orlp]

Ohh there’s physical electronic repeaters. Okay. I thought this was some sort of electromagnetism witchcraft.

[cyberax → Waterluvian]

They actually are witchcraft. They amplify the signal directly, without transforming it into electrical signal.

[bee_rider → Waterluvian]

It’s all witchcraft anyway. I’m not sure what they use exactly, but even photodiodes are pure witchcraft.

[nbernard → Waterluvian]

There is still some witchcraft. Look up "optical pumping amplifier" for instance.