Singapore Expands Subsea Cable Landings to Boost Digitalization Efforts

Singapore

Singapore, a global hub for information technology and telecommunications and home to quite some data centers, has announced plans to increase the number of submarine cable landings in the next decade. The move aims to reinforce Singapore’s position as a vital network center connecting Southeast Asian economies and beyond, as the city-state intensifies its digitalization efforts.

To support the expansion of the subsea cable network, Singapore’s government has unveiled a new digital infrastructure master plan. The plan includes allocating additional space and landing resources to enable operators to expand and diversify their networks. Furthermore, the government is exploring the possibility of authorizing new landing spots, with three potential locations under consideration.

Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister of Communications and Information, highlighted the significance of this development during the blueprint’s unveiling ceremony. She stated, “The additional capacity enabled for submarine cable landings will strengthen digital connectivity for all of us, including our neighbors in Southeast Asia.”

This move comes at a time when cable companies are investing billions of dollars to meet the escalating demand for data in the region. Subsea cables serve as critical infrastructure for the digital economy, facilitating international data traffic.

Major Infrastructure Investments

Singapore is set to make substantial investments in its digital infrastructure, including an upgraded cable network and the construction of green data centers, in a bid to meet the evolving demands of the digital age. The government’s vision, announced by Minister Josephine Teo, aims to attract $20 billion in investment and establish a solid foundation for emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and immersive multi-party interactions.

Minister Teo emphasized that Singapore is not merely aiming for faster connectivity but is preparing for the widespread adoption of new applications that require greater bandwidth, particularly those involving data-intensive operations and heavy AI usage. As part of the plan, Singapore’s home infrastructure will be upgraded to support Internet speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) within the next five years.

To achieve its digital aspirations, the Singaporean government intends to collaborate with industry and research institutes. The focus will be on developing sustainable software solutions, expanding the usage of autonomous systems, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as low-Earth orbit satellite services to enable creative solutions in sectors like marine and aviation.

Subsea cables, which lay on the ocean floor and transmit over 95% of transcontinental Internet traffic, play a crucial role in global connectivity. Minister Teo highlighted the importance of strengthening this network to enhance Singapore’s connection with the rest of the world. The plan involves increasing the number of subsea cables in Singapore, a move that will require a significant private-sector investment estimated at $10 billion or more.

Currently, Singapore hosts 26 subsea cables across three landing sites, and the government aims to expand this number over the next decade. Minister Teo revealed that an additional $10 billion to $12 billion investment will be necessary for the construction of green data centers, which would bolster Singapore’s domestic computing capabilities.