Connecting Two Dynamic Regions: Why a Direct Subsea Cable from Sydney to South Asia Matters
The Bay of Bengal Gateway 2 features three expressways, with EW1 and EW2 already designed, while EW3 remains undisclosed. It is now time to establish a direct connection between Australia and South Asia. Currently, the nearest hubs for traveling from South Asia to Australia are Singapore and Oman. To minimize latency, a direct submarine cable linking these two regions is essential.
Australia is connected to a number of active and planned subsea cables that facilitate international telecommunications. Here's a breakdown:
Active Subsea Cables:
Exact number of cables are not mentioned here. It needs more analysis and home work. In near future we will publish articles about it.
Planned/Under Construction Subsea Cables:
1.???? JGA-N?(Japan-Guam-Australia North) - Expected completion in the near future.
2.???? INDIGO-West?- An extension of the INDIGO system.
3.???? Trident Subsea Cable?- A proposed cable connecting Australia to Southeast Asia.
4.???? Echo Cable?- A planned cable by Google and Facebook connecting the U.S., Singapore, and Australia.
5.???? H2 Cable?- A proposed cable connecting Australia to Singapore and beyond.
Sydney, Australia, is a major hub for subsea cables, serving as a landing point for several international and domestic cables. Below is a list of?subsea cables that originate or land in Sydney:
Active Subsea Cables Landing in Sydney:
Planned/Under Construction Subsea Cables Landing in Sydney:
Domestic Cables Originating in Sydney:
Balikula Subsea cable has been initiated from Natadola Fiji which is a brunch of Tabua. RFS of Tabua is first quarter of 2026. Halaihai and Honomoana cables have been landed in French Polynesia islands. RFS of Honomoana is 2026 where Halaihai RFS 2027. We must remember when any cables terminated in Guam island CLSs its destination is Singapore. There are multiple low latency superhighways from Guam to Singapore.
Now let us see how many cables there between ASEAN countries and Australia are.
1. ASEAN Australia Cable (AAC)
2. Australia Singapore Cable (ASC)
3. Indigo Cable System (Indigo West and Indigo Central)
4. SeaMeWe-3 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3)
5. SeaMeWe-5
6. SJC (Southeast Asia Japan Cable)
7.???? JGA-S (Japan-Guam-Australia South)
8. PIPE Pacific Cable-1 (PPC-1)
9. Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN)
There are nine cables connected to ASEAN countries, serving a combined population of 680 million. In comparison, the total population of South Asia is 1.6 billion. Now, let’s explore how the Australia-ASEAN connectivity is benefiting both regions.
Australia is strategically important for connectivity with ASEAN countries, even though its internal data traffic is relatively low, and it has strong connections to the U.S. and Europe. Here are several reasons why:
They are geographically as near as south Asia. Australia's close proximity to Southeast Asia makes it an ideal partner for regional connectivity. It can serve as a gateway for data traffic transiting between Asia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Reliability and Spectrum. Relying solely on cables to the U.S. and Europe poses risks, as those systems could be disrupted by geopolitical events, natural disasters, or technical failures. Connecting to ASEAN countries provides alternative routes for Australian data traffic, improving overall network resilience.
Connection is power. Trade, education, and migration between Australia and ASEAN are expanding. Australia is a significant provider of higher education to ASEAN students and a participant in regional trade agreements like RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership). Reliable digital infrastructure supports these connections.
Australia is heaven for OTT service platformers. Major tech companies, including Google, Meta, and AWS, operate data centers in Australia. These facilities often serve ASEAN markets, requiring high-capacity cables to support content delivery and cloud services.
Scientific Synergy. Australia is involved in collaborative research with ASEAN countries, particularly in fields like climate science, agriculture, and technology. High-speed networks facilitate real-time data sharing and collaboration.
Australia is BOSS. Australia's undersea cable infrastructure positions it as a hub for trans-Pacific and interregional data traffic. Connections with ASEAN enhance its strategic importance in global digital networks.
Visionary partnership between two of them. Connecting to ASEAN strengthens Australia's geopolitical and economic ties with Southeast Asia, aligning with Australia's regional partnership goals under frameworks like ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
By diversifying its connections and enhancing integration with neighboring regions, Australia ensures robust and secure digital connectivity while strengthening its role in the global internet ecosystem.
Subsea cable connectivity between Australia and ASEAN countries is a cornerstone of regional integration, digital transformation, and economic growth. These cables ensure resilient and reliable data exchange, supporting burgeoning demands for cloud services, e-commerce, and content delivery. They also facilitate critical collaboration in research, education, and climate initiatives, fostering shared innovation across borders. Furthermore, Australia's connectivity to ASEAN strengthens its strategic role as a digital hub for the Southern Hemisphere, enhancing its global standing. These cables are not just infrastructure but enablers of regional prosperity and stability, emphasizing their long-term importance in a connected world.
Conclusion
The existing subsea cable infrastructure between Australia and ASEAN countries highlights the critical importance of robust, high-capacity connectivity for regional integration, economic growth, and digital transformation. However, the absence of a direct subsea cable between Australia and South Asia represents a significant gap in the global digital network. South Asia, with its population of 1.6 billion, is a rapidly growing hub for technology, trade, and innovation, and establishing a direct connection to Australia would unlock immense potential for both regions.
A direct subsea cable between Australia and South Asia would minimize latency, enhance data reliability, and provide a resilient alternative to existing routes that rely on intermediate hubs like Singapore and Oman. This direct link would not only strengthen trade, education, and migration ties but also support the growing demand for cloud services, e-commerce, and content delivery. Furthermore, it would foster scientific collaboration, improve network resilience, and position both regions as key players in the global digital ecosystem.
Given the strategic, economic, and technological benefits, the establishment of a direct subsea cable between Australia and South Asia is not just advantageous but essential. It would serve as a cornerstone for regional prosperity, stability, and long-term connectivity, ensuring that both regions remain at the forefront of the digital age.