Globe-linked Southeast Asia-Japan Cable system begins network upgrade

Network upgrade delivers an increase of 6.5 terabits per second data capacity 

The Southeast Asia-Japan Cable system, operated by an international consortium of leading telecommunications and technology companies that includes Globe Telecom, began implementing a network upgrade to further enhance capacity amid steady growth in bandwidth demand in the region.

The upgrade to the undersea cable system brings an increase of 6.5 terabits per second of capacity utilizing the latest 100 gigabits per second transmission equipment. The sharp increase in transmission technology from the usual 10 gigabits per second, followed by 40 gigabits per second technology, underscores the upsurge in internet usage especially mobile internet. Once completed, the upgrade will set a new benchmark in global data and information connectivity. 

“The upgrade runs parallel with Globe Telecom’s network transformation initiative. As we optimize our modernized network to further build capacity, the SJC upgrade allows better network availability and delivery, providing additional support for expanding business requirements for data,” Globe Chief Operating Officer Gil Genio said.

TE SubCom, an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology, was commissioned by the SJC consortium to carry out the network upgrade. Full system construction of the SJC cable system was completed in June of last year at a project cost of $400 million. Globe Telecom’s interconnection with the SJC cable system, which strengthened the country’s connectivity with the region and the rest of the world, was formally launched in inauguration rites led by President Benigno Aquino and Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala in September last year. 

The undersea cable project consists of 6 fiber pairs with an initial design capacity of up to 28 terabits per second, one of the fastest speeds an undersea cabling system can provide, to meet bandwidth-intensive applications such as internet TV, online games and enterprise data exchange. To illustrate, the cable’s design capacity can support simultaneous streaming of up to 3 million high-definition videos.

The SJC is an 8,900-kilometer cable system, which could further extend to 9,700 kilometers. The cable system links 7 territories that include Brunei, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines, including the option to link with Thailand. 

Aside from Globe, the SJC consortium is composed of Brunei International Gateway Sendirian Berhad (BIG), China Mobile International Ltd. (CMI), China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom), China Telecom Global Limited (CTG), Donghwa Telecom Co. Ltd (DHT) (a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom, Co., Ltd.), Google, KDDI Corporation, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin a subsidiary of PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk), and TOT Public Co., Ltd. (TOT).