HONG KONG, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China Mobile International Limited (CMI) has officially launched the Southeast Asia–Japan Cable 2 (SJC2) on July 16, 2025. This cutting-edge submarine cable system, spanning 10,500 kilometers, is set to revolutionize connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region.
SJC2’s main trunk connects Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Japan, with additional branches extending to other key Asia-Pacific countries and regions. Utilizing state-of-the-art optical wavelength division multiplexing technology, the cable boasts a transmission capacity exceeding 126 terabits per second (Tbps)[i]. SJC2 significantly enhances the region’s submarine cable infrastructure by increasing capacity, offering route diversity, and strengthening network resilience. This upgrade addresses the growing connectivity demands in Southeast and East Asia, paving the way for a more robust communications environment capable of supporting AI and other bandwidth-intensive applications.
With the addition of SJC2, CMI has now established eight submarine cable routes within the Asia-Pacific region. This expansion substantially improves network availability and meets escalating bandwidth requirements. Furthermore, CMI’s implementation of proprietary Local Ring Systems in Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Singapore – connected to regional data centers – enables the company to offer tailored PoP-to-PoP (Points of Presence) solutions with highly scalable and flexible bandwidth.
Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant digital markets. Market Research Southeast Asia projects the region’s digital transformation market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% from 2024 to 2032, primarily driven by increased internet penetration. On a broader scale, Precedence Research forecasts the Asia-Pacific submarine cable system market to reach $18.36 billion by 2034. These projections underscore the critical need for expanded connectivity infrastructure.
SJC2 stands as a cornerstone of CMI’s strategy to enhance global connectivity, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It supports the explosive growth of 5G, cloud computing, AI, and e-commerce by providing enterprises, cloud providers, and digital platforms with the low-latency, high-capacity data transfer essential for AI workloads and data-intensive applications. Additionally, the cable system aims to improve digital inclusion and bridge connectivity gaps in underserved areas.
The SJC2 cable, spearheaded by CMI and its partners, represents the latest submarine cable project completed in the Asia-Pacific region. Its planned connection with the PEACE cable, operational since September 2024, will extend SJC2’s network coverage to Europe. In recent years, CMI has invested in several other global cable systems, including 2Africa (linking South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe), IAX and IEX (connecting Singapore, India, Italy, and France), and SEA-H2X (a Southeast Asian network linking mainland China, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore). CMI’s expansive network now spans 78 countries, encompassing over 100 cable systems, 168+ Tbps bandwidth, 330+ global PoPs, and proprietary data centers in major cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and Frankfurt. With access to 1,278 partner data centers, CMI provides comprehensive support to partners worldwide.
About China Mobile International Limited
China Mobile International Limited (CMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile, was established in December 2010 to meet the growing demand in the international market. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China, CMI has expanded its operations to 39 countries and regions. Leveraging the robust support of China Mobile, CMI has become a trusted partner, delivering comprehensive international information services and solutions to enterprises, carriers, and mobile users. For more information, please visit www.cmi.chinamobile.com
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