In telecommunications and Internet terminology, a backbone is the core or main network infrastructure that carries data traffic at large scale. It is composed of high-capacity connections (mainly terrestrial and submarine fiber-optic cables) linking the main Internet nodes and exchange points worldwide.
Key characteristics
- High capacity and speed: relies on fiber optics and advanced transmission systems to provide very high bandwidth and low latency.
- Redundancy and resilience: includes alternative routes to ensure service continuity in case of outages or physical cuts.
- Connectivity function: interconnects major data centers, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), and Tier 1/Tier 2 provider networks.
- Global coverage: spans oceans and continents through submarine cables connecting critical infrastructures.
Analogies
A backbone can be compared to a country’s highway system: it carries most of the long-distance traffic. Regional networks are like national roads, and local ISP networks are like the urban streets that reach homes.
Relation to data centers and energy consumption
Data centers are often located near backbone landing points (e.g., Marseille, Bilbao, Dublin) to reduce latency and transmission costs. While the backbone itself is not the largest energy consumer, it concentrates traffic that drives data center growth and their associated electricity and water demands for cooling.
Strategic importance
- Crucial for digital sovereignty and national security, since backbone control determines who manages and monitors global data flows.
- A critical component of the global digital infrastructure, with economic, technological, and geopolitical implications.
