The ADC submarine cable from China Telecom and its partners promises to revolutionize the digital infrastructure of the region.
On March 24, the launch ceremony for the ADC submarine cable was successfully held at the Everbright Center in Hong Kong, an event that brought together over a hundred distinguished guests, including prominent figures from the political and business sectors, industry experts, and media representatives from around the world. This project marks a milestone in the expansion of digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region and has the potential to transform international connectivity.
A High-Impact Collaborative Project
The ADC submarine cable is a joint initiative among some of the world’s leading telecommunications companies, including China Telecom, China Unicom, Singapore Telecom, Japan’s SoftBank, TATA Communications, Vietnam’s VIETTEL, Thailand’s NT, and the Philippines’ PLDT. Spanning 9,988 kilometers, this cable connects several key countries in the region, such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, strengthening the digital infrastructure of the Asia-Pacific region.
What makes the ADC submarine cable unique is its open architecture and high-capacity optical transmission technology that allows for total capacity exceeding 160 Tb/s, with more than 20 Tb/s per fiber pair. This technological advancement not only provides diverse routing options but also enhances the resilience and stability of networks across the region, contributing to the growth of the digital ecosystem.
Boosting the Region’s Digital Transformation
The development of this submarine cable responds to the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity, driven by the rapid digital transformation in key sectors such as education, healthcare, e-commerce, and government services. The expansion of communication infrastructure will be crucial to meet the needs of digital economies, especially at a time when emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) require faster and more reliable connectivity.
The ADC project has the capacity to provide over 50 Tb/s of additional bandwidth for the Asia-Pacific region, supporting the exponential growth in data demand expected as a result of advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and IoT. This new infrastructure will also strengthen international cooperation in telecommunications, playing a crucial role in the development of the global digital economy.
Hong Kong: A Strategic Hub for the Digital Future
During the launch ceremony, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, highlighted Hong Kong’s key role as a gateway for China’s global openness and its vision of leveraging the advantages of the “one country, two systems” framework. He emphasized that Hong Kong remains committed to promoting an innovative and collaborative ecosystem, driving the research and development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and other cutting-edge technologies.
Hong Kong continues to establish itself as a “super connector” and “super enabler,” facilitating the global expansion of Chinese companies while attracting international businesses, reinforcing its position as a globally influential technology hub.
The Future of Global Connectivity
The installation of this submarine cable, which forms the backbone of global connectivity, is essential for ensuring international data transmission. China Telecom, along with its global partners, will continue to promote the construction of additional submarine cable projects, ensuring the expansion of the infrastructure that supports advanced technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and other emerging digital technologies. This effort will continue to drive global digital transformation, fostering global connectivity and contributing to the development of a high-quality digital economy.
Commitment to Technological Advancement and Global Prosperity
As part of its commitment to technological progress, China Telecom has announced that it will continue to strengthen its digital infrastructure, accelerating the implementation of data centers like the one in Tseung Kwan O and cable landing stations like that in Chung Hom Kok. Additionally, the company continues to expand its research and development capabilities through innovation centers focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, reaffirming its commitment to technological innovation and contributing to the continued prosperity of Hong Kong and beyond.
With the expansion of this high-capacity infrastructure, the ADC submarine cable positions itself as a fundamental pillar for the digital future of the Asia-Pacific region and, more broadly, the world, opening new doors for trade, innovation, and global technological progress.
Source: China Telecom Global