• Gulf Development and Singtel will invest in the Vietnam-Thailand-Singapore Cable System, with AIS supporting its development and commercialisation
  • VTS now targets operations in 2030, compared with the second quarter of 2027 when Viettel and Singtel announced the project in 2024

The fact

Gulf Development and Singtel have formed a partnership to develop and invest in submarine cable infrastructure between Thailand and Singapore. Their first project will be participation in the Vietnam-Thailand-Singapore Cable System, or VTS, which the companies now expect to be operational by 2030. Singtel Singapore and its Thai associate AIS will support the system's development and commercialisation.

VTS was first announced by Viettel and Singtel in April 2024. The original plan described an eight-fibre-pair trunk between Vietnam and Singapore, with branches to Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. At the time, the companies expected the cable to enter service in the second quarter of 2027.

The latest announcement does not explain the change to a 2030 operating date or say whether the original route and technical design have changed. It also does not disclose the investment amount, system capacity, cable supplier, landing locations or a construction timetable. Gulf and Singtel said capital requirements would be spread over several years and that they may consider other subsea and terrestrial cable investments in the future.

The assessment

Gulf's involvement gives the Thailand side of VTS more commercial and infrastructure support. Thailand was already included as a branch in the 2024 design, but the latest agreement brings Gulf into the investment partnership and puts AIS alongside Singtel in developing and selling the connection.

The schedule is now less straightforward. VTS was originally expected in 2027, while the latest announcement points to 2030. The companies have not said whether the extra time comes from a revised design, changes to the consortium or a broader development plan. Until the route, landing facilities and construction programme are confirmed, the 2030 date remains the clearest indication of when customers might actually gain access to the new link.

For BTW readers, the partnership strengthens the organisations behind the Thailand-Singapore connection, but the physical project still needs to catch up with the commercial agreement. Supplier contracts, landing permits, marine work and a firm construction schedule will show how the revised VTS plan is moving towards service.

What to watch

Watch for confirmation of the final VTS route, Thailand landing arrangements, system capacity and cable supplier. A marine survey, manufacturing contract or installation schedule would move the project beyond partnership agreements and clarify whether the new 2030 target is achievable.