作者/Author(s): Alexander Harstrick 

網站來源/Source: War on the Rocks 

日期/Date: 08/28/2024 

關鍵字/Keywords: 網路、電信、海底電纜 


摘要：
美國在創造和傳播現代電信方面功不可沒，但美國及其盟友在電信創新競賽中卻逐漸落後。目前全球電信網路逐漸被可能反對美國的勢力佔據，成為對美國國家安全的威脅。因此，美國政府和私營部門必須正視這項挑戰，重新奪回全球電信領導地位。
  • 當中國船隻「不小心」切斷台灣馬祖的網路電纜，以及俄羅斯透過斷絕烏克蘭通訊，來挫敗烏克蘭的反攻時，都凸顯了電信已成為現代衝突中不可或缺的一部分。 
  • 第二次世界大戰後，美國了解到電信對軍事創新和國家安全的重要性。雖然美國發明並鋪設了全球海底光纖網路，但卻忽略了保持電信領先地位的必要性。  
  • 隨著技術成熟，供應商為了追求更多的利潤，會將生產外包到海外，對手國便有機可趁，現代電信就是如此。全球網際網路通訊都是透過海底電纜進行，而海底電纜又細又脆弱，目前是最活躍的海底電纜維護業者就是中國的公司，他們的價格經濟實惠，許多國家在此過程中對中國電纜維護技術產生依賴，中國趁此在全球資訊和電腦技術領域日益佔據主導地位。 
  • 簡單來說，美國將技術和維護工作拱手讓給了那些不會支持美國全球安全觀的人。美國不太可能重新獲得舊技術的主導地位，但可以與關係密切的夥伴合作，共同開發下一代電信技術。 
  1. 美國應該在建立新技術標準之前，繼續維護其舊有的電信基礎設施。
  2. 美國應建立更多比現有網路更安全、更快速的私人網路替代方案。 
  3. 美國應該探索無線雷射通訊技術的可能性，這種技術比較不易受到威脅。
Summary: 
The US takes credit for creating and propagating modern telecommunications, but the US and its allies are falling behind in the telecommunication innovation race. The current global telecommunications network is increasingly possessed and maintained by actors that may turn against the US, making it a threat to US national security. Therefore, the US government and private sector must address this challenge and regain leadership in global telecommunications.
  • When Chinese vessels "accidentally" cut Taiwan's Matsu Island's internet cables and Russia thwarted a Ukrainian counterattack by severing Ukrainian communications, it became apparent that telecommunications became an essential aspect of conflicts.
  • The US understood the importance of telecommunications for military innovation and national security after the Second World War. Despite inventing and laying down undersea global fiber optic networks, the US ignored the need to maintain the lead in the telecommunication sector.  
  • As technology matures, inventors outsource their production overseas to pursue more profits, giving opportunities to rival states, which is the case for modern telecommunications. Global internet traffic occurs through undersea cables, which are thin and fragile, but Chinese companies are currently the most active undersea cable maintenance operators. Due to its affordability, China increasingly dominates the global information and computer technology sector, making many countries dependent on it in the process.
  • In short, the US surrendered the technology and maintenance to those who would not uphold the US's understanding of global security. It is unlikely the US could regain its old technology, but it could start to invent next-generation telecommunications with its close partners. 
  1. The US should continue to maintain its old telecommunication infrastructure before it can put up a new technological standard. 
  2. The US should set up more private network alternatives that are more secure and faster than current ones. 
  3. The US should explore the prospect of using lasers for telecommunications because it is less vulnerable. 
 
 
回上層