Asia’s Data Lifeline Gets a Massive Upgrade

SJC2 cable adds 126 Tb/s capacity, linking key Asian hubs to fuel AI, cloud, and next-gen digital growth.

17 Jul 2025

Asia’s internet backbone just gained a powerful new link. On 16 July 2025, the Southeast Asia–Japan Cable-2 (SJC2) went live, bringing a huge boost in speed, capacity, and reliability across the region.

Stretching 10,500 kilometers beneath the sea and built by NEC, the SJC2 connects Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan, with links to other major markets. Its capacity tops 126 terabits per second, enough to ease congestion on Asia’s busiest data routes and keep networks stable even after earthquakes, storms, or cable damage.

The project is a joint effort by a heavyweight telecom consortium including China Mobile International, Chunghwa, and Singtel. Its routing was tailored for hyperscale cloud providers and multinational firms, with the launch timed to match an expected surge in AI-driven data traffic. Chunghwa says the design ensures consistently fast and steady connections.

Analysts believe the cable will not just move data faster but also reshape the regional bandwidth market. More capacity and diverse routing could mean lower costs, better quality of service, and smoother cross-border digital trade. “The ability to move massive volumes of data quickly and securely is now a core economic driver,” one industry expert said.

Still, subsea infrastructure is a long-term game. Technology and traffic will keep evolving, demanding continuous upgrades. Yet for now, SJC2 is being hailed as a vital new artery in Asia’s digital body, ready to power everything from smarter cities to quicker global transactions.

It is more than glass fibers and steel casing. It is a direct line to the region’s next wave of innovation.