- Over 126 Tbps capacity using optical wavelength‑division multiplexing.
- Enhances network redundancy, poised to support AI, cloud, and low‑latency services.
What happened :Cable goes live
Japan’s NEC Corporation, acting as systems integrator, has completed the construction and deployment of the Southeast Asia–Japan Cable 2 (SJC2), linking Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan with a 10,500 km optical submarine cable . Capable of delivering more than 126 Tbps via wavelength‑division multiplexing, the system also features additional branches to other Asia‑Pacific destinations . The SJC2 consortium asserts this infrastructure will deliver “unparalleled bandwidth capacity and ultra‑low latency” to fuel next‑generation cloud and AI‑powered services
Within this context, the SEA‑Japan cable overlaps with NEC’s recent trial of a record‑setting 800 Gbps transmission over 2,100 km, underscoring NEC’s technical edge in subsea systems NEC Global.
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Why its important
SEA‑Japan SJC2 isn’t merely another cable—it’s a strategic infrastructure asset as internet traffic surges from cloud platforms, AI workloads, and real‑time applications. As NEC has shown, the future lies in systems that can carry ultra‑high‑capacity signals over vast distances. By reducing network congestion and enhancing route diversity, SJC2 offers improved resilience in the face of cable breaks—recurring risks that can take weeks and millions of dollars to repair .
Crucially, the cable cements Asia‑Pacific’s role as a global digital hub. But questions remain: do regional operators have the agency to influence cable consortia that are increasingly driven by hyperscale and telecom giants? And will the projected gains in latency and capacity translate into cost‑effective benefits for end‑users? With multiple new projects already in the pipeline—such as AUG East—the real test will be how well ASEAN‑linked economies leverage this infrastructure to bridge the ongoing digital divide
