NTT DATA, Sumitomo and JA Mitsui Leasing, jointly established a new company, Intra-Asia Marine Networks (I-AM NW), to construct and operate a large-scale submarine communication cable, Intra-Asia Marine Cable (I-AM Cable), connecting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, with additional connectivity to Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan.
The I-AM Cable, originating in Japan, will form a new communication ecosystem, supporting Asia’s growing digital infrastructure.
By securing communication routes from three Japanese landing stations in Chiba, Mie and Fukuoka to Malaysia and Singapore, the new system is designed to provide robust resilience against natural disasters in the region.
By using Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) functionality, the wavelength bandwidth of each route can be remotely adjusted, enabling flexible responses to evolving business needs and traffic demands. The cable will also adopt the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, accommodating up to 16 fiber pairs (32 cores) per cable. In combination, this will enable a total capacity of approximately 320 terabits per second.
“The launch of I-AM NW marks a significant step in strengthening Asia’s digital infrastructure,” Yoshio Sato, CEO of I-AM NW, said. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.”
I-AM NW will manage the entire process from planning to sales of communication circuits for this submarine cable.
I-AM Cable (Intra-Asia Marie Cable) Overview
- Company Name: Intra-Asia Marine Networks
- Total Design Capacity: Approximately 320Tbps (initial design)
- Total Cable Length: Approximately 8,100km
- Planned Landing Points: Japan (Chiba, Mie, Fukuoka), Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea
- Note: Fukuoka is planned as an international telecommunications hub in western Japan, in coordination with newly developed data center clusters.
- Service Commencement: Early fiscal year 2029 (Planned)
