What's Happening?
Telin, the international arm of Telkom Indonesia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Malaysian engineering firm ITCO Niaga to extend the Indonesia Cable
Express II (ICE II) submarine cable to Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia. This expansion is part of a broader initiative to enhance digital infrastructure across Southeast Asia. The ICE II system, announced in August 2024, is a high-capacity fiber-optic network designed to connect Singapore to Manado, Indonesia, and further to North Asia and the United States. The system will include major branching points in strategic locations such as Batam, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Borneo Island, including Balikpapan, Kuching, and Tawau.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of the ICE II submarine cable is significant for several reasons. It aims to bolster the resilience of Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure by providing an alternative route to the overcrowded South China Sea corridor. This development is crucial for meeting the region's growing bandwidth demands and supporting emerging digital technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud platforms. The collaboration between Telin, SDEC, and ITCO is expected to drive data-powered growth, foster regional collaboration, and accelerate digital transformation in Southeast Asia. This initiative represents a substantial investment in Indonesia's digital infrastructure, with the potential to enhance connectivity and economic opportunities across the region.
What's Next?
The ICE II project is still in the development stage, with ongoing partnerships and planning. The goal is to complete seven separate cable systems by the end of 2028, connecting Indonesia to Japan, the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Australasia. As the project progresses, it is expected to attract further investments in AI and green data centers, enabling the adoption of the digital economy in regions like Sarawak. The successful implementation of the ICE II system could set a precedent for future digital infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia.
