Pay-TV, and digital TV, has mostly developed in countries where analogue terrestrial TV was dominant and, unlike in cable TV countries, few channels were available.

However, Bamford also emphasises the limits of the system, which stem from the fact that, firstly, only a small proportion of international communications are now transmitted via satellites - transmissions via fibreoptic cable are much more difficult to intercept - and, secondly, that the NSA has only limited capacities when it comes to the final analysis of intercepted communications.

This can be explained by the advantages offered by fibreoptic cables, which can carry a much greater volume of traffic at a higher connection quality.

The Commission also concluded that the markets for medium and low voltage power cables also do not lend themselves to conscious parallel behaviour, as there are a number of smaller suppliers (the so-called "fringe firms") who could be used as alternative suppliers if prices were to be increased by the two leading firms.

ropes consisting of batches of fibre-optic lines inside a spirally wound steel housing encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic; or

In the contemporary security environment, there are a number of easily identifiable maritime concerns. These essentially are the safety of shipping, including cargos, using Canadian waters, especially the cruise ships, which are attractive terrorist targets; the vulnerability of port complexes and their related transportation networks; security of offshore installations; safe and legal operation of the fishery; security of isolated and remote communities and installations as well as the security of the uninhabited areas of the coast; and finally, the security of undersea cables ...[+++], now almost entirely fibre optic, and their shore-side terminals.