Comment by no_protocol

I am assuming the "SMW3 cable" mentioned is SEA-ME-WE 3, which was mentioned multiple times in "Mother Earth Mother Board" by Neal Stephenson (1996, Wired) [0]. It was noted as a competitor to FLAG, the cable Stephenson was mainly following.

That seems like a very long lifespan.

[0]: https://www.wired.com/1996/12/ffglass/