Submarine Cable System Initiative
A new submarine cable system connecting India, Malaysia, and Singapore is being developed by a consortium that includes Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm. This infrastructure project aims to meet the increasing demand for AI and data connectivity across the India-Southeast Asia corridor.
Project Overview
- Objective: The cable system is designed for hyperscalers and GPU infrastructure providers requiring AI training and inference workloads.
- Consortium Members: Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm.
- Cable Name: I-2SEA.
- Connectivity: Links India's east coast (Hyderabad and Chennai) with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Technical Details
- Cable Length: 3,600 km from Singapore to Machilipatnam, with connectivity to Hyderabad.
- Landing Points in India:
- Machilipatnam: Provides shortest subsea access to Hyderabad.
- South Chennai: New diverse landing location.
- Technical Partners: NEC Corporation as system supplier and ASEAN Cableship (ACPL) for marine installation.
Operational Highlights
- Readiness: Targeted to be ready-for-service in Q4 2029.
- Performance: Expected to deliver the fastest transmission on the Singapore/Malaysia–Hyderabad corridor.
- Network Management: Managed by Lightstorm's SmartNet AI Fabric and Polarin platform.
- Architecture: Interoperable cable architecture and carrier-neutral landing infrastructure.
Strategic Importance
This system is crucial for connecting AI regions in India, Malaysia, and Singapore through a single, purpose-built network. It is engineered to support the performance and scale required for AI infrastructure, enhancing the strategic connectivity within the region.