AM signals: submarine cables, offshore windfarm, inhospitable Wi-Fi
MIT has chosen Hong Kong as the site of its world’s first innovation initiative. MIT president Rafael Reif told The Wall Street Journal, “Universities in Hong Kong are very strong, and the city has significant business expertise. In addition to that, you also have manufacturing infrastructure in Shenzhen that can handle small volume manufacturing.”
TeleGeography earlier this year reported a resurgence in global network construction. Now, via Vox, the organization has made available interactive maps of the underwater cables that carry 99% of international data traffic. As an added bonus, there’s an overlay map that lets you compare today’s submarine cable routes with 1912 trade routes. As Vox puts it, “The economic interdependence has remained, but the methods and meaning have changed.” See also commentary on the first trans-Atlantic cable.
The FCC is cracking down on hotels and convention centers that block Wi-Fi hot spots set up by guests and convention participants. The New York Times reports that last week, the commission proposed a $718,000 fine against the company that provides Internet services at the Baltimore Convention Center. The hospitality industry contends the FCC is overstepping its authority.
Denmark-based DONG Energy A/S is proposing to build what would be North America’s largest offshore windfarm, reports The Boston Globe. The farm, which would be located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, would include up to 100 turbines and generate as much as 1,000 MW.
