Business and technology leader, NTT DATA, together with Sumitomo Corporation and JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd. have today set up Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd. (I-AM NW), to jointly construct and operate a large-scale submarine communication cable spanning 8,100km, connecting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore with additional connectivity to Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan, according to the companies’ joint press release.
To be ready for service in early 2029, the subsea cable system is slated to be built at a cost of US$1 billion.
By securing communication routes from three Japanese landing stations in Chiba, Mie and Fukuoka, to Malaysia and Singapore, the new system will provide robust resilience against natural disasters in the region as well as reinforcing Japan’s role as a data hub. Fukuoka is planned as an international telecommunications hub in western Japan, in coordination with newly developed data center clusters.
Using Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) functionality, the wavelength bandwidth of each route can be remotely adjusted, enabling flexible responses to evolving business needs and traffic demands. The cable will also adopt the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, accommodating up to 16 fiber pairs (32 cores) per cable. In combination, this will enable a total capacity of about 320 terabits per second, ensuring high-quality, highly reliable communication for major global tech companies and telecom operators.
“This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Yoshio Sato, CEO at I-AM NW.
I-AM NW will manage the entire process from planning to sales of communication circuits for this submarine cable.
For this project, Sumitomo Corporation will participate through an intermediate entity jointly established with SMFL Mirai Partners Co., Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.), leveraging both companies’ extensive networks and broad customer base to help ensure the success of this initiative.
The system will support Asia’s growing digital infrastructure footprint where subsea cables now account for 99 per cent of all international data transfers