Key Takeaways from the AOIP Submarine Cable Seminar 2025
The rapid acceleration of digital transformation globally has positioned ASEAN’s submarine cable network as a vital component in ensuring seamless connectivity, fostering economic development, and strengthening the region’s digital resilience. As global connectivity demands surge, industry leaders convened at the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) Submarine Cable Seminar on 13 February 2025, held at the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel.
Moderated by Ooi Seng Keat, Vice President at Singtel, the seminar brought together industry experts, including Dion Kristadi Leksono (Dion), Vice President of Subsea Project Orchestration at Telin; Phil Murphy, Head of Marine Operations and Engineering at Telstra; and Tom Janssen Manning, Operations Program Manager for Submarine Networks in Asia-Pacific at Google, to discuss key industry challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
Regional Cooperation for a Resilient Digital Network
Co-hosted by Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with support from the ASEAN Secretariat and the Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative (Aus4ASEAN Futures), the seminar aimed to reinforce ASEAN’s efforts in developing a secure, diverse, and resilient submarine cable network for regional and global connectivity. By facilitating cross-sector dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders, the event served as a platform to discuss best practices, regulatory frameworks, and strategies to optimize submarine cable deployment. Additionally, discussions focused on enhancing information-sharing frameworks to support efficient deployment, maintenance, and protection of submarine cables among ASEAN Member States.
Tackling Challenges in Submarine Cable Infrastructure
Submarine cables, which handle over 99% of global data traffic, face growing obstacles, including geopolitical risks, environmental factors, and supply chain complexities. The discussion underscored the urgency of diversifying cable routes to avoid congestion in high-risk areas such as the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca.
Dion highlighted the evolving complexities of deploying submarine cables, stressing the need for stronger public-private partnerships. A key recommendation was for governments to simplify regulatory processes by establishing a centralized, one-stop permitting institution. Such measures would expedite the deployment, maintenance, and protection of submarine cables, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across ASEAN.
Governmental Role in Strengthening ASEAN’s Connectivity
Panelists agreed that governments play a crucial role in classifying, regulating, and facilitating cable systems to ensure efficient use, resource allocation, and collaboration with neighboring countries. By harmonizing regulations across ASEAN member states, authorities can reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and promote investment in digital infrastructure.
Additionally, enhancing regional information-sharing frameworks will improve cable security, minimize repair delays, and bolster resilience against disruptions. Strengthening collaboration between industry stakeholders and governments is essential to sustaining ASEAN’s digital economy and preparing for future connectivity demands.
Governments can further support cable systems by creating efficient permitting processes through the establishment of a one-stop-shop institution. This would streamline procedures and reduce bureaucratic delays in submarine cable installation and maintenance. The challenge of deploying submarine cables continues to evolve, requiring strong collaboration between governments and industry players to sustain growth and contribute to ASEAN’s digital economy.
Building ASEAN’s Future-Ready Digital Landscape
As digitalization accelerates, ASEAN must prioritize investments in scalable and resilient connectivity solutions. Industry leaders from Telin, Telstra, and Google emphasized the importance of forward-thinking strategies to meet the increasing bandwidth needs of AI-driven applications, cloud services, and real-time data processing.
Telin, through projects like the Indonesia Cable Express (ICE), is actively working to eliminate bottlenecks and provide direct, low-latency connections between underserved regions and global hubs. This infrastructure is essential for supporting the high-bandwidth requirements of AI applications, cloud services, and real-time data processing.
The seminar concluded with a shared commitment to fostering regional cooperation and positioning ASEAN as a key global connectivity hub. By addressing infrastructure challenges and implementing innovative approaches, ASEAN can enhance its submarine cable network’s efficiency, security, and sustainability.
Through continued dialogue and collaboration, ASEAN is poised to navigate the complexities of the digital era and reinforce its role as a critical player in global connectivity.