Subsea cable activity in the Asia-Pacific region is showing no signs of slowing down, as evident in two recent announcements. The ALPHA Consortium has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to plan and develop a proposal for an international undersea cable system connecting Singapore, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and more. Indonesia will serve as a hub for this project, with its waters playing a critical role in distributing traffic to support data center capacity.
The ALPHA consortium consists of South Korean telecommunications company, KT Corporation (KT), Telin, and several Japan-based groups that are yet to be named.
High-Capacity Data Transmission
The ALPHA cable will offer a minimum design capacity of 144 Tbps, with at least eight fiber pairs and 18 Tbps per fiber pair. This will enable the seamless and high-capacity transmission of data across the East and Southeast Asian regions.
The allocation of at least eight fiber pairs within the ALPHA cable, each capable of transmitting data at a remarkable rate of 18 Tbps per fiber pair, underscores the importance of having a robust infrastructure to support high-capacity data transmission. These fiber pairs serve as the conduits through which data flows, and the substantial capacity of each pair allows for the rapid and efficient transfer of data packets. This high capacity not only caters to the current demands for data transmission but also anticipates future growth in data usage, ensuring that the network remains scalable and adaptable to evolving needs.
The symbiosis between design capacity and high-capacity transmission of data becomes particularly crucial in regions like East and Southeast Asia, where economic activities, technological advancements, and digital connectivity are burgeoning. The ALPHA cable, with its impressive capacity and fiber pair configuration, facilitates the smooth exchange of data-intensive services such as cloud computing, video streaming, online gaming, and e-commerce across these regions.
More details about the project are expected to be revealed in the third quarter of this year, when the selection of a turnkey supplier and contract preparation are set to begin. The ALPHA cable system is projected to be ready for service by the first quarter of 2027.
Enhancing Digital Connectivity Through Smart Cables
In another development, Prima, a telecommunications and data infrastructure company based in Vanuatu, and Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) have announced a smart cable project connecting Vanuatu and New Caledonia. This system will provide an additional telecom cable to New Caledonia, extending to Australia and Fiji, thereby enhancing digital connectivity. It will also support seismic monitoring in the Pacific region, improving security and preparedness against natural disasters.
