"The ability to revert back to a previous configuration in case something goes wrong is key," said Sprint's Walker. "With all the hands that touch a network, you know something's going to go wrong at some point."
MCI's Fee said having one integrated system with the throughput of the CRS-1 could eliminate some of the instability inherent in architectures that use several smaller-capacity routers linked together.
"When you start adding layer upon layer, it makes the network more inefficient and unreliable," Fee said. "The CRS-1 could let you put more eggs into a more reliable basket."
Subsea cable alternatives can provide a level of comfort for those concerned about disruptions. Realistically, they will continue to play a small, but critical role in the short term.
Maintaining existing network infrastructures often incurs huge technical debt before newer technologies are adopted over time.
Amid ongoing regional uncertainties, telecom infrastructure in the Middle East has expand to include terrestrial low-latency network infrastructure, which offers resilience and agility in navigating political complexities without relying solely on undersea networks.
