APAC Races to Lay the Future Undersea

Meta, NTT and NEC propel APAC subsea growth as data needs spike; collaboration becomes essential

11 Dec 2025

Asia Pacific is undergoing a rapid expansion of subsea cable projects as demand for data accelerates across the region. Technology companies and telecom groups are increasing investment to support rising traffic, with new systems expected to influence how the sector is financed and operated.

Meta has taken a prominent role. Its Candle system, a high-capacity route linking Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, marks a point at which large cloud providers are no longer only customers but also central planners of regional infrastructure. Analysts say the project shows how hyperscalers now help set investment cycles and operational standards for these networks.

Telecom carriers are adjusting to the shift. NTT, a long-standing participant in Asia Pacific’s subsea market, is examining new forms of collaboration with cloud and internet companies. Executives in the sector describe a move toward joint design and shared risk, replacing older structures that kept roles more rigid. The transition is creating uncertainty for some operators but is also widening the scope for cross-industry partnerships.

Manufacturers face their own constraints. NEC, a major supplier of subsea cable systems, is developing technology built to handle rising data volumes. But a shortage of specialised cable-laying vessels threatens to slow installations, underscoring how supply chain limits can restrain even strong market growth.

Despite these pressures, expectations for the region remain strong. Asia Pacific’s digital economy is expanding quickly, and new routes, landing stations and system upgrades are forecast to increase through the decade. Each addition alters the region’s connectivity pattern and strengthens links between key markets.

As companies work to shape the next generation of subsea networks, cooperation between cloud providers, carriers and manufacturers is becoming more central to project delivery. The industry’s direction will depend on how effectively these groups align their technical and commercial plans in the years ahead.