Australia Singapore Cable Explained

Cable Name:Australia Singapore Cable
Cable Type:Fibre-optic
State:Active
Construction Beginning:2018
Construction Finished:2018
First Traffic:September 2018
Design Capacity:60 Tbit/s
Lit Capacity:2.5 Tbit/s (total)
Built By:Alcatel Submarine Networks
Landings:4
Owner:Vocus Group

The Australia Singapore Cable (ASC) is a 4,600 km fibre-optic submarine communications cable that entered service in September 2018, linking Australia and Singapore via Christmas Island and Indonesia. ASC is owned and operated by Vocus Communications and interconnects with the Vocus Australian domestic optical fibre network at the Australian landing site in Perth. The ASC consists of four fibre pairs and, at launch, had a total design capacity of 40 terabits per second.[1]

In 2019 the cable was upgraded to a total design capacity of 60 terabits per second.[2]

On 1 August 2021, the cable was damaged after a ship operated by Maersk caught a portion of the cable with its anchor, disrupting Perth operations. The captain of the ship was detained by the Australian Federal Police.[3] Normal operations resumed by 13 August after repairs were made.[4]

Landing points

  1. Perth, Western Australia
  2. Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island
  3. Anyer, Indonesia
  4. Tanah Merah, Singapore

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australia Singapore Cable. 17 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Australia Singapore Cable operating at 50% more capacity. July 12, 2019. 8 August 2019.
  3. Web site: Maersk mariner charged over Australia Singapore Cable cut. 2021-11-28. www.arnnet.com.au.
  4. Web site: Comment. Sebastian Moss. Australia Singapore Cable repaired, operations restored. 2021-11-28. www.datacenterdynamics.com. en.