The Critical Role of Backhaul Management in Submarine Network Topology & Operations

Andy Everest


Subscribe Contact us

Introduction


In today's interconnected world, submarine cable networks form the backbone of global communication, enabling the seamless exchange of data across continents.


While these undersea cables are the epitome of engineering marvels, their effectiveness hinges not only on the ‘wet' network in the seabed, but also on the often-overlooked terrestrial network backhaul.


The terrestrial backhaul — the infrastructure that connects submarine cable landing stations to inland data centres and networks — is as crucial as the submarine network itself. Proper management and handling of terrestrial backhaul partners is essential to ensure the optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and security of all submarine networks.


The Vital Importance of Backhaul Management


Submarine networks are only as strong as their weakest link, and the terrestrial backhaul is a pivotal link in this ecosystem. Without a well-designed and managed backhaul, even the most sophisticated submarine network can face inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and vulnerabilities.


Key reasons why managing terrestrial network backhaul partners is so critical include:


Cost Optimisation


Terrestrial backhaul costs constitute a significant portion of the total network expenditure. Poorly negotiated contracts or suboptimal supplier relationships can inflate operational costs, diminishing the overall profitability of submarine networks.


Network Performance


The design, quality, and reliability of terrestrial backhaul networks directly affect latency, throughput, and overall user experience. A poorly managed partner ecosystem can lead to performance degradation, affecting service delivery.


Security and Risk Mitigation


The terrestrial segment is often more vulnerable to physical and cyber threats compared to submarine cables. Effective partner management ensures that security measures are prioritised, and risks are mitigated.


Scalability and Flexibility


As data demands grow, submarine networks must scale effectively. Well-managed terrestrial backhaul partners enable seamless scaling and adaptability to meet changing requirements.

How We Can Help


Introducing Cambridge Management Consulting’s ‘Backhaul Management As A Service (BMaaS)’, which we’ve put together to address the challenges which we see facing our customers when it comes to designing and building a holistic submarine network inclusive of the terrestrial backhaul.


'Backhaul Management As A Service (BMaaS)', offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to simplify, streamline, and optimise the implementation, and subsequent management, of terrestrial backhaul partners.


BMaaS offers a holistic approach, encompassing strategy, procurement, supplier management, and much more.


Key Components of Cambridge MC’s BMaaS


  • Strategy: We design a glidepath that ensures the acquisition of successful backhaul partners at the right price, with an optimal network design and secure performance.


  • Supplier Management as a Service (SMaaS): A turn-key solution for managing all procurement activities. This service secures best practices and achieves the most optimised cost models.


  • Procurement Management as a Service (PaaS): Our off-the-shelf procurement services streamline and execute the lifecycle of backhaul partnerships.


  • Contract Management as a Service (CMaaS): This addresses the complex challenges of managing contracts and suppliers post-signature, ensuring adherence to terms and performance metrics.


  • Pricing Team Support: Offering robust pricing support and managing RFP/RFQ processes to deliver strategies and solutions for procurement exercises that lie outside normal business-as-usual operations.


  • Invoice & Inventory Auditing & Analytics: A critical review of backhaul services, including supplier inventory and billing, to ensure alignment with contractual agreements.


Summary of Benefits


In conclusion, while submarine networks are critical to global connectivity, their full potential can only be fully realised with effective terrestrial backhaul management. Cambridge Management Consulting’s BMaaS offering provides a structured, strategic, and results-driven approach to managing terrestrial network backhaul partners, ensuring cost-efficiency, performance, and security.


By leveraging BMaaS, clients can navigate the complexities of backhaul management with confidence, unlocking the true value of their submarine network investments, and exploit Cambridge Management Consulting’s vast experience in this sector.


For more information email the team at info@cambridgemc.com or use the contact form below.


Contact - Backhaul Management article

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Blog Subscribe

SHARE CONTENT

Wind farms  and solar panels in the countryside at dawn
by Scott Armstrong 27 March 2026
Sustainability | Energy, risk and competitiveness – find out why sustainability is no longer just about reporting, but about resilience, cost control and long-term advantage | READ FULL ARTICLE
Yello and turquoise neon lights.
24 March 2026
International consulting firm, Cambridge Management Consulting has acquired telecommunications cost-reduction specialist, The Carrier Club, strengthening its ability to help organisations reduce their telecoms and network infrastructure costs.
Pembroke College lawn bathed in sunlight
by Tim Passingham 12 March 2026
CAMBRIDGE | See how Cambridge MC and Pembroke College are creating mutual value through a unique corporate partnership spanning student opportunities, academic collaboration and industry events | READ FULL CASE STUDY
Neon sharks made out of code.
by Simon Crimp 9 March 2026
Cyber Security | Ransomware in 2026 is a board-level resilience issue. Learn the key risks, weak spots and practical questions boards should ask to improve readiness, recovery and response.
The Top 21.2026 at the awards event in Cambridge, UK.
6 March 2026
The #21toWatch Top21.2026 winners have been announced at an awards ceremony at The Glasshouse innovation hub in Cambridge.
Asian business woman near a long window and looking at a tablet.
by Arianna Mortali 6 March 2026
BLOG | A student’s perspective on why women shouldn’t have to ‘play masculine’ to succeed at work – and how valuing empathy, confidence and inclusive leadership can help close gender gaps and build healthier organisations.
Abstract squiggle of circles
by Simon Crimp 19 February 2026
Where should leaders start with AI in 2026? A practical guide to moving beyond pilots, clarifying risk appetite, strengthening governance, improving data readiness, and delivering measurable enterprise value from AI at scale | READ FULL ARTICLE
Close up of a data centre stack with ports and wires visible
12 February 2026
We were approached by one of the fastest growing data centre providers in Europe. With over 20 data centres throughout the continent, they are consistently meeting the need for scalable, high-performance infrastructure. Despite this, a key data centre in Scandinavia had become reliant on a single, non-redundant 1 Gbps internet service from a local provider, posing significant risks to operational continuity. To enhance the reliability of its network and resolve these risks, our client needed to establish additional connectivity paths to ensure the redundancy of its infrastructure. The Ask Cambridge Management Consulting was engaged to address these connectivity challenges by identifying and evaluating potential vendors and infrastructure options to create second and third connectivity paths. This involved exploring various types of connectivity, including internet access, point-to-point capacity, wavelengths, and dark fibre. Additionally, Cambridge MC was asked to provide recommendations for building a local fibre network around the data centre to control and maintain diverse paths. This would allow the data centre to connect directly to nearby points of presence (PoPs) and reduce dependency on external providers, thereby enhancing network resilience and operational control. The goal of this project was to ensure that the Nordic data centre could maintain continuous operations even in the event of a failure in the primary connection. Approach & Skills Cambridge MC approached the project with a focus on ensuring operational continuity and resilience for the data centre. By identifying multiple connectivity paths, we aimed to mitigate the risk of network failures and ensure that the data centre could maintain continuous operations even in the event of a failure in the primary connection. This approach allowed Cambridge MC to provide a comprehensive solution to address both immediate and long-term connectivity needs. We employed a combination of Agile and Waterfall methodologies to manage the project. The initial investigative phase allowed a Waterfall approach, in which our team conducted thorough research and analysis to identify potential vendors and connectivity options. This phase involved detailed interviews with various telecommunications providers and an assessment of publicly available information. Once the initial analysis was complete, the workflow transitioned to an Agile approach for the implementation phase. This allowed Cambridge MC to adapt to new information and feedback from stakeholders, ensuring that the final solution was both flexible and robust. Challenges Lack of information: One of the primary obstacles we faced was the lack of detailed network maps and information from some of the potential vendors. To overcome this, the team conducted extensive interviews with contacts at these companies and leveraged its existing network of industry contacts to gather as much information as possible. Remote location: Another challenge was the remote location of the data centre, which limited the availability of local infrastructure and required us to explore creative solutions for connectivity. Cambridge MC addressed this by proposing the construction of a local fibre network around the data centre, which would allow for greater control and flexibility in connecting to nearby PoPs. Fragmented factors: Additionally, coordinating with multiple vendors and ensuring that their services could be integrated seamlessly posed a logistical challenge. We mitigated this by recommending a phased approach to implementation, starting with the most critical connectivity paths and gradually expanding to include additional options. Outcomes & Results Increased Connectivity: Cambridge MC successfully identified and evaluated multiple connectivity paths for the data centre. By exploring various types of connectivity, including internet access, point-to-point capacity, wavelengths, and dark fibre, we provided a comprehensive solution that significantly enhanced network resilience and reliability. Greater Control & Flexibility: Our recommendations for building a local fibre network around the data centre allowed for greater control and flexibility in connecting to nearby points of presence, ensuring continuous operations even in the event of a failure in the primary connection. New Vendors: The team’s extensive network of industry contacts and deep understanding of the regional telecommunications landscape allowed for a thorough and nuanced evaluation of potential vendors and connectivity options. Scope for Future Work: Cambridge MC identified several future developments with the potential to further enhance international connectivity and provide additional redundancy for the data centre. We also proposed further assistance, including a site visit for a more in-depth analysis of options, issuing RFI/RFP to vendors for capacity and fibre, and conducting similar connectivity studies for other candidate sites in the region.
Neon discs fading from blue to green to purple, cascading diagnolly across the screen.
by Cambridge Management Consulting 28 January 2026
Thames Freeport this week revealed the eight companies selected to participate in the Freeport’s Connectivity Lab, an initiative focused on validating commercially proven technologies in live port and logistics environments.
More posts