CANDLE Cable System Lands in Batam, XLSMART Strengthens Asian Digital Connectivity
PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk (XLSMART) continues to strengthen Indonesia’s digital infrastructure through the development of the CANDLE Cable System, a submarine cable communication system (SKKL) spanning approximately 8,000 kilometres. This system will connect Indonesia with Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan.
Developed through XLSMART for BUSINESS, the project is targeted to begin operations in 2028. This infrastructure is part of XLSMART’s strategy to provide high-capacity, reliable, and sustainable connectivity capable of supporting the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy.
Andrijanto Muljono, Director and Chief Enterprise Business Officer of XLSMART, stated that the development of CANDLE is a strategic investment to anticipate Indonesia’s long-term connectivity needs. “CANDLE is a strategic investment to prepare for Indonesia’s long-term connectivity requirements. Digital economic growth demands increasing capacity and wider access to global networks,” said Andrijanto.
He added that the infrastructure development is expected to provide broader access for Indonesian businesses to connect with the regional digital ecosystem and expand business growth opportunities.
Golden Buoy Lands in Tanjung Bemban
The development of the CANDLE Cable System has entered a significant phase with the landing of the Golden Buoy in Tanjung Bemban, Batam, on Friday (11/09/2026). The project, which commenced in December 2024, will provide a high-capacity communication route and add an alternative international connectivity link between Indonesia and several Asian nations.
XLSMART is developing CANDLE in collaboration with Meta, Globe Telecom, IPS Inc., Telekom Malaysia, and SoftBank Japan, with NEC serving as the technology partner for the submarine cable system construction.
The CANDLE route will stretch across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. The presence of this network is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s international communication infrastructure amidst the rising demand for digital services.
Andrijanto explained that the selection of Tanjung Bemban as a landing point was driven by Batam’s potential as a strategic hub for the digital ecosystem in western Indonesia. “The selection of Tanjung Bemban, Batam, as one of the CANDLE landing points considers the growth potential of western Indonesia, particularly Batam, which serves as a hub for numerous hyperscalers and telecommunications companies,” he noted.
According to Andrijanto, Batam’s position is increasingly vital for the development of international connectivity and the data centre ecosystem.
Connecting Batam Data Centres with Asia
The CANDLE Cable System will also connect data centres in Batam with countries along the submarine cable route. This connectivity aims to meet the needs of corporate customers for high-capacity, reliable, and scalable networks. The infrastructure is also projected to support the advancement of technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and various other digital services.
Andrijanto stated that connectivity needs for corporate customers continue to rise alongside the growth of data usage and digital services. “For enterprise customers, CANDLE provides wider, high-capacity, reliable, and scalable international connectivity options,” he said.
He assessed that the network’s capability is essential for companies requiring large-capacity digital infrastructure that can adapt to growing data demands.
Batam Poised for Increased Strategic Importance
In developing CANDLE, XLSMART continues to coordinate with the government and various stakeholders. Government support has been provided for the infrastructure development, while the licensing process continues to ensure the project complies with applicable regulations.
According to Andrijante, the presence of a CANDLE landing point in Batam could have a strategic impact on the development of the regional digital ecosystem. “For Batam, the presence of a CANDLE landing point opens opportunities to further strengthen its role in the regional digital ecosystem. Connectivity with several Asian countries can support the development of data centres and digital-based business activities in the region,” he said.
He emphasised that CANDLE is more than just the construction of a new connectivity route. The infrastructure is expected to provide Indonesia with broader access to the regional digital ecosystem. “We hope this infrastructure can benefit the business world, support the growth of the digital ecosystem, and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the development of Asia’s digital economy,” concluded Andrijanto.
With an operational target of 2028, the CANDLE Cable System is expected to become a strategic infrastructure piece that strengthens the position of Batam and Indonesia within the digital connectivity network of the Asian region.