SUBCO Announced Plans for New Subsea Cable Systems
The company plans to install 40,000 kilometers of new subsea infrastructure by 2029.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Data Centers
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SUBCO has unveiled plans for three new subsea cable systems, designated as APX North, APX East-2, and APX West, to expand international data capacity. The new infrastructure will feature 24 fibre pairs per system and include switched branching units.
Why it matters
The build is driven by surging global demand for international data movement, specifically to support the processing needs of artificial intelligence workloads. This expansion aims to enhance connectivity across the Indo-Pacific region.
The three systems, APX North, APX East-2, and APX West, measure 9,500km, 10,000km, and 4,600km respectively. Each cable system is engineered with 24 fibre pairs and incorporates switched branching units to bypass specific landing points.
The players
SUBCO
SUBCO is a specialist telecommunications company that builds and operates subsea cable infrastructure.
The details
The project links key locations including Sydney, Japan, Guam, Los Angeles, Perth, Singapore, and Indonesia. These systems will supplement SUBCO's existing portfolio, which currently includes INDIGO West, INDIGO Central, the Oman Australia Cable, and SMAP.
Timeline
Early 2027: Expected Contract in Force status for all three systems.
2028: Targeted ready-for-service date for the APX East system.
2029: Targeted completion date for all three new systems.
The Tech Race
The planned build follows the precedent set by subsea fibre optic cable systems which serve as the physical backbone of global internet traffic. This expansion represents a significant shift as companies race to increase bandwidth to support the massive data requirements of artificial intelligence.
The expansion of these subsea cables will likely improve international network speeds and reduce latency for data-heavy applications. As AI workloads continue to grow, this increased bandwidth is essential for maintaining the performance of global digital services.
The takeaway
Large-scale subsea infrastructure projects are critical for maintaining the stability and speed of global digital commerce. As demand for AI capabilities intensifies, the physical layer of the internet will continue to undergo major expansion efforts.
Further reading
For more on the infrastructure powering global digital systems, visit the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IT Brief Australia.
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