Construction of Japan-Guam-Australia cable system begins

The construction of a nearly 6,000-mile fiber optic cable system from Japan to Australia began Wednesday.

The cable is capable of delivering about 4.5 terabytes per second, which would expand onward connectivity options in Guam, according to RAM Telecom International press release.

The Japan-Guam-Australia subsea cable system would contribute to the expansion of reliable communication and improved network redundancy built by a consortium led by RTI Connectivity Pte. Ltd., AARNet Pty Ltd and Google, together with Alcatel Submarine Networks, part of Nokia and NEC Corporation. It's expected to be completed before the end of 2019.

The cable would stretch from Minami-Boso Japan to Piti, then south to Sydney, interconnecting with the SEA-US fiber optic cable and HK-G cable system at the GTA landing station in Piti, according to the release.

John Rhee, Docomo Pacific's vice president of transport network, said the cable system is an example of a continued trend of large submarine cables with mixed ownership.

"Our location is essential for interconnection, cable redundancy and disaster recovery," Rhee said. "We welcome additional cables landing in Guam, as this will contribute to the Guam economy and connecting our communities."

Russ Matulich, the president of RTI Connectivity, said the new cable system is an important milestone fueling exponential data-growth between Asia, Australia and the United states.

"These customers require alternative paths, enhanced quality of service and cost-effective bandwidth solutions," Matulich said. "(The cable's) unique design will also improve latency between Tokyo-Sydney, while greatly reducing provisioning time frames."

Chris Hancock, the CEO of AARNet said, the new submarine cable lines provide a much-needed boost to communications infrastructure into Australia.

Hancock said the cable compliments his company's investment in another cable system, the INDIGO subsea cable system, which provides connectivity to north and southeast Asia to meet the substantial growth in bandwidth demand.

"This will allow Australian universities to have unconstrained access to meet the big data challenges of the future," Hancock said.

Philippe Piron, the president ASN said, the cable system builds on the company's state-of-the-art technology.

Tora Kawauchi, general manager of NEC's submarine network division, , said it's the second project to be co-financed by the Japanese government.

"We wish to further utilize these funds for many more cables in the future," Kawauchi said.

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