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].

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/ https://www.wired.com/1996/12/ffglass/