The Hidden Masters of the Internet: How Cables, Corporations, and Governments Control the Global Web

Most of the world's internet traffic flows through submarine cables and data centers, controlled by corporations and governments, not satellites.

Conceptual image illustrating the global internet infrastructure controlled by cables, corporations, and governments

While most people imagine the internet as a network floating in the air or orbiting satellites, the reality is far more tangible — and far more controlled. Over 95% of global internet traffic travels through **submarine cables**, stretching thousands of kilometers across oceans, connecting continents, and powering the world's digital communications.

These cables are owned and maintained by a combination of **massive telecom corporations, international consortia, and select governments**. Decisions about routing, maintenance, and upgrades are strategic and can influence the speed, access, and even availability of information across entire regions.

In addition to the cables themselves, **data centers and landing stations** form the backbone of the internet. Companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta operate massive private networks that handle terabits of data per second, giving them unprecedented control over information flow and digital infrastructure.

Satellites, while useful for remote areas or emergency communications, carry only a fraction of global traffic. The true power of the internet lies under the oceans and on land — in cables, servers, and the hands of those who own and control them.

Understanding this infrastructure is crucial. It reveals that the **internet is not a neutral, invisible cloud**, but a **strategic, physical system controlled by a small number of entities**. Awareness of this reality is the first step toward digital literacy and recognizing where real power resides in the connected world.

Published by THE GLOBAL REPORT | January 24, 2026