New Batam-Singapore subsea cable to boost ASEAN digital ties ahead of regional framework pact

A new subsea cable connecting Indonesia's Batam island and Singapore has successfully landed, heralding a new era of digital opportunities for Southeast Asia.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced the successful landing of the Nongsa-Changi cable on July 20, emphasizing its significance as ASEAN member states prepare to sign a digital economy framework later in 2026. This framework aims to enhance cross-border digital trade, data flows, and payments across the 10-member bloc.

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As our economies become increasingly digital, digital infrastructure has now become an important foundation to support economic growth. That is why projects like the Nongsa-Changi Cable matter.

Gan highlighted that robust digital infrastructure is crucial for economic growth in increasingly digital economies. The Nongsa-Changi Cable (NCC) is a collaborative effort between PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), a subsidiary of Telkom, and Singapore-based BW Digital, with Nongsa Digital Park serving as a strategic partner. The 50km cable boasts 24 fiber pairs, offering over 1.6 petabits per second of capacity with less than two milliseconds of latency.

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Singapore brings global connectivity, a trusted business environment, and links to companies and customers around the world. As for Indonesia, South-east Asia’s largest economy brings scale, talent, land for future growth, and significant potential in renewable energy.

This initiative is part of Telkom Group's broader Indonesia Cable Express program, which includes another Batam-Singapore cable system, the Indonesia Singapore Cable System. These projects aim to strengthen international connectivity and Indonesia's digital sovereignty. Gan noted the complementary strengths of Singapore and Indonesia: Singapore offers global connectivity and a trusted business environment, while Indonesia provides scale, talent, land for expansion, and renewable energy potential.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the NCC serves as the physical foundation for a new digital corridor between the two nations, reinforcing Batam's role as Indonesia's digital gateway. The project underscores the strategic importance of the Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) region's proximity to Singapore, enabling companies to leverage the strengths of both countries for regional and global operations.

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NCC serves as the physical foundation for a new digital corridor connecting Indonesia and Singapore, while further strengthening Batam’s position as Indonesia’s digital gateway.