**Candle Submarine Cable System to Boost Regional Connectivity Across Six ASEAN Nations by 2028**
A groundbreaking initiative is set to enhance digital infrastructure and meet the surging demand for data communications in the Asia-Pacific region. The Candle submarine cable system, an 8,000 km, 24-fibre pair cable linking six ASEAN countries, is scheduled to commence operations in 2028.
**Collaborative Development by Industry Leaders**
Telekom Malaysia (TM), Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS Inc., PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, and NEC Corporation have joined forces to develop the Candle submarine cable system. This state-of-the-art infrastructure will connect Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, bolstering network capacity and resilience across the region.
**Enhancing Capacity and Connectivity**
The Candle system is poised to become one of the first in the Asia-Pacific to utilize a 24-fibre pair design, significantly increasing traffic capacity to accommodate the rapid growth in communications demand driven by 5G technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Don Pang, Chairperson of the Candle management committee, emphasized the project’s strategic importance:
“Candle represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the region’s digital infrastructure. As the need for robust, high-speed connectivity grows, Candle will deliver greater network diversity and resilience along this essential corridor, leveraging state-of-the-art technology. This milestone reflects the deep collaboration among our partners and underscores our shared commitment to advancing digital inclusion and economic opportunity for over half a billion people in the Asia-Pacific region.”
**Supporting Digital Transformation in ASEAN**
Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group CEO of TM, highlighted the company’s dedication to the initiative:
“TM’s participation in the Candle submarine cable system project demonstrates our commitment to building resilient digital infrastructure that meets the growing demand for digital services and cloud-based, AI-driven innovation across Asia. It strengthens our ability to support hyperscalers, enterprises, and global service providers in expanding their footprint across ASEAN, while reinforcing Malaysia’s role as ASEAN’s digital hub. This initiative aligns perfectly with our aspiration to become a digital powerhouse by 2030—connecting Malaysia to the world, and the world to Malaysia.”
**Future-Ready Infrastructure for Next-Generation Needs**
Kimimasa Kudo, Vice President and Head of the Global Business Division at SoftBank Corp., shared insights on the project’s technological edge:
“With the rapid advancement of generative AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), international telecommunications demand is expected to continue accelerating. Candle adopts a 24-fibre pair architecture, making it one of the core foundations of next-generation social infrastructure that SoftBank is promoting. By integrating with other submarine cables such as Jupiter, ADC, and E2A, we will further enhance the diversity and redundancy of global communications networks originating from Japan and strengthen Japan’s role as a digital gateway for Asia.”
**NEC’s Expert Role in System Integration**
NEC Corporation, with over 60 years of experience in the submarine cable industry, will serve as system integrator for the Candle project. Tomonori Uematsu, General Manager of NEC’s Submarine Network Division, stated:
“NEC is particularly strong in leading subsea projects in the Asia-Pacific region, having delivered eight optical submarine cable systems connecting Japan and Singapore, including Candle. In this project, we will provide end-to-end services from the manufacture of submarine cables and repeaters to route design, installation, and testing. Through establishing a highly reliable communication environment in Asia, NEC will contribute to the development of the digital economy.”
**A Milestone for Regional Digital Growth**
The Candle submarine cable system initiative marks a significant milestone in regional partnerships. It aims to strengthen connectivity across ASEAN countries, ensuring secure, reliable international data transmission and driving digital growth for communities and businesses alike.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Candle project progresses towards its 2028 launch, promising to reshape the digital landscape across Asia-Pacific.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/business/tm-joins-candle-submarine-cable-system-consortium-connect-malaysia-and-asean-countries
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