FLAG’s Carl Grivner on building subsea networks to bridge the global digital divide

Carl Grivner, a veteran telecom executive known for leading major network transformations at firms including Pacnet and Colt, heads FLAG at a moment when global connectivity is under real pressure. AI is driving unprecedented demand across subsea routes, hyperscalers are rolling out their own private systems and many high-growth regions are still relying on fragmented legacy networks. FLAG sits right in the middle of this shift, positioning itself as one of the largest privately owned, carrier-neutral subsea cable operators focused on building integrated, region-wide infrastructure rather than isolated builds.

In this interview with Gulf Business, Grivner lays out why today’s infrastructure model is becoming unsustainable, how subsea innovation can narrow the digital divide and what a move toward global, inclusive investment actually looks like in practice.

Are AI workloads placing “unsustainable strain” on global data systems? Can you paint a picture of what’s actually happening beneath the ocean right now? Is the current infrastructure approach sustainable?

AI is driving an unprecedented surge in global data demand. Beneath the ocean, we’re seeing a race to build high-capacity, low-latency subsea cable systems that can handle the scale and speed AI requires. These cables are the arteries of the digital world, transmitting vast volumes of data between continents at all hours of the day. But the current infrastructure model is under strain, and to answer directly, is unsustainable.

Legacy systems weren’t built to handle the technology demands of modern-day businesses. Without a shift toward smarter, more integrated networks, we risk bottlenecks that slow innovation and cut off digitally underserved regions from the global economy. We think creating sustainable infrastructure means going further than building up more capacity and better cables.

We must ensure that they serve regions plagued by fragmented legacy infrastructure, to ensure equitable connectivity around the globe.

The “piecemeal infrastructure approach adopted by hyperscalers is unsustainable.” But these are some of the most sophisticated tech companies on the planet with massive resources. What are they getting wrong? And what does a shift from piecemeal to “global, inclusive investment” look like in practice?

Tech giants are moving fast and have very diverse approaches when investing in infrastructure. While these solutions may appear piecemeal, they are highly tailored to meet the specific needs of each hyperscaler, which can vary significantly.

This approach means systems are purpose-built and generally for internal use, whereas most other players position themselves as consumers of capacity provided by specialists with expertise across certain geographies or regions. Subsea cables, edge data centres and intelligent platforms need to work together to move data faster and smarter.

We focus on strategic partnerships and carrier-neutral infrastructure that serves entire regions, rather than individual companies. Inclusive investment means opening connectivity up to everyone, building systems that connect underserved markets to beat the digital divide and supporting long-term growth.

What does the digital divide look like in 2025, and how does subsea cable innovation specifically address it versus just adding more capacity for those already connected?

The digital divide in 2025 encompasses access, speed and reliability. Many regions are still continually investing in infrastructure to participate fully in the digital economy. Subsea cable innovation helps bridge this gap by connecting emerging markets to global networks with high-capacity, low-latency systems.

We target high-growth potential regions with large and growing demand, like the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. By expanding access where it’s needed most, we’re laying the groundwork for growing regions to innovate independently.

How do you think about FLAG’s role beyond just laying cables?

We’re building a unified digital ecosystem for global growth. Our infrastructure is designed to support the next wave of emerging technology, to make sure businesses everywhere get the most out of AI, cloud and IoT technologies – to name only a few and our carrier-neutral solutions provide path diversity and resilience, ensuring data keeps flowing even when the unexpected happens. We integrate subsea systems with edge deployments and intelligent routing to create smarter networks. Ultimately, our goal is universal connectivity, not just in major hubs, but in the places that have been historically hard to reach. Connectivity is a human right, and we’re building the systems to make that a reality.

AI workloads are growing exponentially: some estimates suggest AI could account for 20 per cent of data centre power consumption by 2025. As someone literally building the pipes that feed this demand, do you worry that AI’s infrastructure needs will crowd out connectivity for underserved regions? How do we ensure AI doesn’t exacerbate digital inequality?

Yes, AI is reshaping infrastructure demand, and this is where the idea of building an end-to-end digital ecosystem really matters. We design systems that serve both high-performance AI workloads and inclusive connectivity goals. By building in path diversity, regional access points and scalable capacity, we ensure that growth in AI doesn’t come at the expense of equitable access. This is a balancing act to be sure, but meeting the needs of innovation without losing sight of our mission for equitable connectivity is what will ultimately ensure we don’t exacerbate inequality.

FLAG is one of the largest privately owned, carrier-neutral subsea cable operators. In an era where hyperscalers like Google, Meta, and Microsoft are increasingly building their own cables, what’s the value proposition of neutrality? Why should the industry, and governments care about maintaining independent infrastructure players?

Our independence and neutrality are key to our success. When hyperscalers build or invest in their own cables, to cater for their growth in Cloud & AI, they are also conscious of how capacity can help serve broader regional needs. With no domestic incumbency, we operate and see ourselves a carrier – neutral provider where strategic partnerships to augment our own systems is the key driver for the next steps of our investments. Our neutrality allows us to navigate complex regulations and infrastructure saturation by forming long-standing strategic partnerships with hyperscalers,  in-country providers, regulators, governments and stakeholders in the markets that we operate.

Fragmented infrastructure is a major hurdle. However, our neutrality allows us to converge vital infrastructure in a way others cannot. Ultimately, this unlocks opportunities in economies with large wealth gaps, where the digital divide presents the greatest growth potential.

What does a shift from piecemeal to “global, inclusive investment” look like in practice?

A global, inclusive investment model moves beyond isolated builds toward infrastructure that empowers entire regions and economies. It’s rooted in collaboration, between governments, carriers and hyperscalers, to create systems that are both scalable and equitable.

We achieve this by forging strategic partnerships, investing in underserved corridors and designing carrier-neutral networks that serve diverse users. This approach prioritises inclusive investment prioritises equitable access, regional empowerment and long-term sustainability ensuring that inclusive investment delivers lasting impact.

If you could redesign global subsea infrastructure from scratch, what would you do differently?

We would start with integration and focus on creating a true end-to-end ecosystem. Subsea cables provide the foundation, but to get intelligent, resilient systems capable of sustaining modern-day and future technology, we need to combine them with edge deployments and smart platforms. We would move away from fragmented, siloed builds to a digital ecosystem that has the infrastructure and platform in one place.

Doing this well would democratise connectivity globally, build resilient systems in hard-to-reach regions and create an overall backbone to support global digital growth.