HKT to build fiber 'super highway' to help Hong Kong become Asia's data center hub

HKT is planning to build a super high capacity fiber optic cable linking the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate to Chai Wan in Hong Kong.

The new 'super highway', dubbed the Ultra Express Link (UEL), will be a three-kilometre-long submarine cable system, and is expected to be ready for service in 2017.

The company hopes that the new UEL will help foster data center development in the Industrial Estate, paving the way for it to become Asia's data center hub.

Alex Arena, HKT's group managing director, says the UEL construction demonstrates not only its solid fiber infrastruction expertise, but also shows that the company is dedicated to shaping the area as a regional data center hub.

"The new cable, together with the existing extensive fiber infrastructure provided by HKT, will allow us to meet the rising demand for high speed and high capacity connectivity requirement from data center operators," Arena says.

"HKT is the only operator to provide full diversity with different options of cable route across Hong Kong. We have full fiber coverage in all data centers in Hong Kong, particularly with diversity paths in all data centers in TKOIE.

HKT, owned by PCCW Limited, offers fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services to Hong Kong businesses and consumers. It also provides other telecommunications services such as consulting, contact centers, customer premises equipment sales and outsourcing.