The Asia Direct Cable (ADC) is set to revolutionize the digital landscape of East and Southeast Asia. Spanning 9,988 kilometers, this submarine cable system connects critical hubs in China, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Designed to meet the growing demand for high-capacity bandwidth in the region, the ADC cable promises to significantly boost digital connectivity, providing a foundation for future technological advancements in industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The ADC cable system, which officially became operational in November, 2024, is the product of collaboration from several major telecommunications players. The ADC consortium includes nine key investors: National Telecom (a merger of CAT and TOT), China Telecom Global, China Telecom Corporation, China Unicom, PLDT Inc., Singtel, SoftBank Corp., Tata Communications, and Viettel. This consortium has brought together the resources and expertise necessary to create one of the most advanced communication infrastructures in the Asia Pacific.
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Core Functionalities and Capacity
At its core, the ADC system can carry over 160 terabits per second (Tbps) of data traffic, positioning it as one of the highest-capacity submarine cables in Asia. This immense capacity will not only facilitate traditional data traffic but also support the region’s rapid digital transformation, which is being driven by emerging technologies like cloud computing and big data.
Koji Ishii, MC Chairperson of the ADC Consortium, highlighted that this cable system will greatly benefit the development of the AI industry in Asia.
Boasting eight fiber pairs, the ADC cable will play a pivotal role in alleviating the pressure on regional networks, ensuring that countries in the Asia Pacific can support increasing data demand while maintaining reliability and speed.
The infrastructure is particularly timely, as Southeast Asia has been experiencing a surge in investment in hyperscale data centers, which are essential for powering AI- and other data-intensive applications. As more businesses and governments in the region embrace digitalization, the ADC cable will be crucial in supporting these efforts. In particular, it will help bridge the growing digital divide and provide more equitable access to the high-speed connectivity required within industries ranging from finance to healthcare.
Billy Li, MC Co-Chairperson of the ADC Consortium, highlighted that the cable offers the necessary capacity and diversity for Asia's major information hubs, allowing telecom carriers and service providers to enhance their networks and service planning to achieve sustainable growth.
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Telco Support
China Telecom, the largest investor and the project’s lead operator, has assumed a central role in the project’s development and ongoing management. With more than 50 submarine cable resources and a network spanning 254 Points of Presence (PoPs) across the globe, China Telecom’s involvement brings both expertise and technical strength to the ADC project. The company has ensured that the ADC cable system employs the latest open cable technology, which will not only increase transmission capacity but also provide better scalability for future growth.
Furthermore, the ADC cable aligns with China Telecom’s broader strategy to expand its digital footprint, particularly in the wake of the Belt and Road Initiative. The company plans to continue investing in submarine cables, further strengthening its role as a global leader in telecommunications.
NEC aided in connecting key locations like the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan, along the ADC gateway, by delivering high-capacity bandwidth with ultra-low latency.
PLDT Inc., also played a pivotal role in this initiative, ensuring that the Philippines serves as a critical hub in the ADC’s expansive network. “The Asia Direct Cable, and five cable landing stations in La Union, Batangas, Baler, Daet, and Davao form the backbone of PLDT Global’s core regional network,” shared Edith Gomez-Cudiamat, Chief Operating Officer of PLDT Global Corporation, in an exclusive interview with Telecom Review Asia.
This resilient and scalable network meets the high-capacity bandwidth demands of Tier-1 carriers, hyperscalers, and global enterprises.
With these advancements, PLDT Global is not only enhancing connectivity but also accelerating digital innovation across the Asia Pacific.
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Uninterrupted Regional Connectivity
While the ADC cable was initially slated for completion by the end of 2022, delays, often attributed to bureaucratic and permitting challenges, pushed the timeline back. However, the official launch in November, 2024, was met with much anticipation, marking the culmination of over four years of planning and construction. The inauguration ceremony, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in December, 2024, was a celebration of the collaborative efforts that went into creating this transformative infrastructure.
The ADC cable is expected to serve as a vital tool for enhancing network redundancy and stability across the region. By offering diverse routing options, the cable will provide telecom carriers and service providers with more flexibility in optimizing their networks. This improved reliability will be crucial for businesses, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in a region that is increasingly dependent on digital services.
As countries in the Asia Pacific continue to embrace the digital future, the ADC cable represents more than just an infrastructure project; it is a key enabler of the region’s economic growth, technological progress, and digital inclusion. As the region navigates the complex demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the ADC cable will ensure that Asia remains connected, competitive, and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
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