US Backs India-Singapore Submarine Cable Link
WASHINGTON, DC- The US Trade and Development Agency on January 20 announced support for a proposed submarine cable system linking India with Singapore and major Southeast Asian data hubs.
The planned cable route would link Chennai with Singapore. Additional landing points are being considered in India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, the agency said.
USTDA said it has signed an agreement with SubConnex Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. to fund a feasibility study for the SCNX3 submarine cable system. The project would connect India with Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia and is expected to serve nearly 1.85 billion people.
It said the study is designed to help attract investment for the cable system and expand capacity needed for Artificial Intelligence and Cloud-based services. The agency said the effort would also help ensure that international networks remain reliable and secure, while limiting exposure to cyber threats and foreign interference.
The agreement was signed at the Pacific Telecommunications Council 26 conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
SubConnex has selected Florida-based APTelecom LLC to carry out the feasibility study. The study will focus on route design, engineering, financial modeling, commercialization planning, and regulatory analysis.
The SCNX3 submarine cable is aimed at addressing growing connectivity challenges in India and Southeast Asia. USTDA said rising digital demand, combined with limited route diversity, has left existing networks vulnerable to outages and security risks.
By adding new and resilient data pathways, the project is expected to improve digital access and support the growth of Artificial Intelligence and Cloud services. The agency said the cable would provide secure and reliable communications infrastructure for governments, businesses, and citizens across South and Southeast Asia.
USTDA said the feasibility study would help promote the use of secure cable technology and protect data flows from malicious foreign influence. Such concerns have grown as undersea cables carry the vast majority of global Internet and data traffic. (IANS)
