The Southeast Asia-Japan Cable 2 (SJC2) submarine cable system has officially entered commercial service, marking a major milestone in Asia-Pacific connectivity. Spanning 10,500 kilometers, the high-capacity optical cable links Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan, with additional branches extending to key markets across the region. NEC Corporation led the construction of the system, which now delivers over 126 terabits per second (Tbps) of bandwidth using the latest optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology.
Backed by a consortium of major operators including Singtel and China Mobile International, SJC2 boosts network resiliency and route diversity amid rising demand for bandwidth-intensive services. The system enhances digital infrastructure critical to supporting AI, real-time data exchange, and hyperscale cloud deployments in the region. SJC2 also adds redundancy to existing subsea infrastructure to bolster the reliability of cross-border communications.
NEC served as the system integrator for the project, handling the design, manufacturing, and installation of both cables and repeaters. “NEC has been a leading vendor in the submarine cable system business for more than 60 years,” said Tomonori Uematsu, SVP and Managing Director of NEC’s Submarine Network Division. “By establishing a highly reliable communications environment, NEC is contributing to the digitalization and technological innovation of countries throughout the region.”
“As a critical part of global digital infrastructure, the SJC2 cable system will boost connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, delivering unparalleled bandwidth capacity and ultra-low latency to power the next generation of cloud computing, AI-driven services, and real-time data exchange,” stated SJC2 consortium co-chairs Meng Fai Yue of Singtel and Herbert Xiong of China Mobile International.
Why it Matters: As demand for AI workloads and real-time services rises across Asia, ultra-high-capacity subsea cables like SJC2 are essential for ensuring low-latency interconnects between data centers and cloud platforms. This deployment strengthens regional digital infrastructure amid geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties.
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