Singapore-Indonesia submarine cable strengthens regional digital connectivity
A new 50 km submarine cable connecting Singapore with the Indonesian island of Batam has arrived in Batam, a step expected to strengthen digital connectivity and support the growth of Southeast Asia’s digital economy, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry on Monday (20 July), as reported by Xinhua.
At the ceremony marking the landing of the Nongsa-Changi Cable (NCC), Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, who attended the event, said that Indonesia’s digital transformation must be supported by tangible infrastructure and ever-stronger connectivity.
“This digital corridor will strengthen the digital economic value chains of both Indonesia and Singapore, while creating space for innovation and technology-based economic activity,” he said.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, said the NCC will provide additional capacity of more than 1.6 petabits per second and enable latency of under two milliseconds between Batam and Singapore, according to a ministry statement.
Gan said the project will support the expansion of data centres and various digital services in Batam, as well as help businesses operate more efficiently across borders.
“This, in turn, will open up more opportunities for Singapore and Indonesia, as well as ASEAN, especially with the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) later this year,” he said.
The cable forms part of a broader effort by both countries to deepen economic cooperation and develop the Indonesian islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) into regional digital hubs.
Gan noted that the proximity of the BBK region to Singapore allows companies to leverage the strengths of both countries, creating opportunities for cross-border cooperation, skills development and investment.
“Singapore offers global connectivity, a trusted business environment, and networks to companies and customers around the world. Indonesia, meanwhile, offers scale, talent, land for future growth, and significant potential in renewable energy,” he added.