Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has teamed up with Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS Inc., PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk and NEC Corporation to develop the Candle submarine cable system.
This is a new 24-fiber pair, 8,000 km undersea network that will connect Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The submarine cable system is expected to go live in 2028 and it is designed to boost infrastructure capacity and secure redundant routes for the region’s growing demand in data communications, driven by 5G and AI.
It is also one of the first submarine cable systems in the Asia Pacific region to use 24-fiber pair cable which enables superior traffic capacity to support future growth for data demand in the region.
As shown above, the 8,000km Candle network will connect major landing stations from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Candle Management Committee’s Chairperson Don Pang said, “Candle represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the region’s digital infrastructure. As the need for robust, high-speed connectivity grows, Candle will deliver greater network diversity and resilience along this essential corridor, leveraging state-of-the-art technology. This milestone reflects the deep collaboration among our partners and underscores our shared commitment to advancing digital inclusion and economic opportunity for over half a billion people in the Asia-Pacific region.”
TM Group CEO Amar Huzaimi Md Deris said, “TM’s participation in the Candle submarine cable system project demonstrates our commitment to building resilient digital infrastructure that meets the growing demand for digital services and cloud-based, AI driven innovation across Asia. It strengthens our ability to support hyperscalers, enterprises and global service providers in expanding their footprint across ASEAN, while reinforcing Malaysia’s role as ASEAN’s digital hub. This initiative bodes well with our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030—connecting Malaysia to the world, and the world to Malaysia.”
Commenting in the partnership, Meta APAC Network Investments Director Nico Roerich said, “At Meta, we imagine a future where everyone has access to AI, personal superintelligence, and other emerging technologies to improve their lives and connect with each other. This is part of our commitment to seamlessly bring people together no matter where they are in the world.”
Meanwhile, SoftBank Corp’s Vice President and Head of Global Business Division Enterprise Unit, Kimimasa Kudo said, “With the rapid advancement of generative AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for international telecommunications is expected to continue accelerating. Candle adopts a 24 fiber-pair architecture, making it one of the core foundations of next-generation social infrastructure that SoftBank is promoting. By integrating with other submarine cables such as JUPITER, ADC, and E2A, we will further enhance the diversity and redundancy of global communications networks originating from Japan, and strengthen Japan’s role as a digital gateway for Asia.”
CEO of IPS, Inc. Koji Miyashita said, “Our participation in this project reaffirms our commitment to play a significant role in the further development of digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, which is vital to our operations in Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. With our subsidiary, InfiniVAN, as the landing party in the Baler, Aurora Province on the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, this is one of many projects we have planned in support of developing the Philippines as a
connectivity hub in Southeast Asia.”
PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk’s Chief of Enterprise Feby Sallyanto said, “XLSMART will fully support the project and we believe the Candle cable will bring benefits for all consortium parties and Indonesia.”
NEC Corporation’s General Manager for Submarine Network Division, Tomonori Uematsu added, “NEC is a leading vendor in the submarine cable system business with over 60 years of experience. NEC is particularly strong in leading subsea projects in the Asia-Pacific region, having been responsible for eight optical submarine cable systems connecting Japan and Singapore, including ‘Candle.’ In this project, NEC will participate as a system integrator, providing everything from the manufacture of submarine cables and repeaters to route design, installation, and testing. Through the establishment of a highly reliable communication environment in the Asia region, NEC will contribute to the development of the digital economy.”
According to the joint press statement, the initiative marks a milestone in collective partnership and commitment to strengthening regional connectivity while ensuring secure and reliable international data transmission, and advancing the digital growth of communities and businesses across ASEAN.
AloJapan.com