Cable manufacturers producing custom wire and cable for broadband infrastructure applications are facing an ever-growing demand for bandwidth across national borders. Figures from Telegeography, which specialises in looking at the long-distance and submarine broadband infrastructure of the world, reveal that international broadband traffic grew rapidly in the past five years. Between 2007 and 2011, Europe’s transmission of data across borders rose by a compounded annual rate of over 55%. Only Oceania and North America saw demand rise by less, while the Middle East’s internet users neared 100% compound annual growth in international bandwidth demand over the same period. Analyst Jon Hjembo adds that the slower growth in developed regions should not be taken as an indication that their demand for international data transfers is any lower. He explains: “Although international bandwidth usage growth is slower in these mature markets, their capacity requirements are far larger than those of emerging markets.” In developed and emerging markets alike, cable manufacturers are working hard to make sure these long lengths of custom wire and cable are available to support the necessary broadband needed by the 21st century’s global village.