Singtel & Telin to develop INSICA cable between Singapore-Batam

Singtel and PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin) have announced a new partnership to develop the INSICA (Indonesia Singapore Cable System) submarine cable, connecting Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. This was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between the two telecommunications giants.

The INSICA cable system, spanning 100 kilometres, is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2026. It is designed to support the increasing demand for data centre telecommunications traffic between the two locations. The system will feature a 24-fibre pair subsea cable complemented by two diverse terrestrial cable paths, offering a maximum capacity of up to 20 terabits per second per fibre pair. This infrastructure is projected to deliver exceptional bandwidth, seamless connectivity, and robust network security.

The new diverse link facilitated by the INSICA consortium will enhance efficient resource sharing and scalability. It will significantly bolster network protection and reliability, ensuring uninterrupted operations for data centres on a 24/7 basis.

According to Mr Ooi Seng Keat, Vice President of Digital Infrastructure & Services at Singtel, Batam is emerging as a prime data centre location due to its proximity to Singapore. "With this cable system, we'll be able to enhance the connectivity between the countries to support the intensive, higher power density AI workloads of enterprises and cloud companies. The development of the INSICA cable system is yet another step that we're taking in architecting a hyper-connected, digital ecosystem to serve the long-term demands of the region's digital future and boost the regional economy," he commented.

Mr Budi Satria Dharma Purba, Chief Executive Officer of Telin, added that the global submarine cable market is poised for unprecedented growth over the next decade, positioning Batam and Singapore as prime locations for data centre investments. "The INSICA submarine cable will address the critical need for data centre interconnectivity among these key strategic locations," he noted.

The direct connectivity between data centres is expected to facilitate the deployment of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics. These technologies require high bandwidth and low latency for commercial-scale and real-time applications. Southeast Asia's data centre sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by advances in AI, cloud computing, e-commerce, IoT, edge computing, and 5G. This growth is attracting a wave of investment from both established players and new entrants.

The INSICA cable system aims to address these demands and significantly contribute to the region's digital infrastructure. As Southeast Asia continues to evolve as a hub for digital innovation and technology, the collaboration between Singtel and Telin represents a crucial step in ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support future developments.

The announcement of the INSICA cable system highlights the ongoing efforts by telecommunications companies to enhance connectivity and support the digital transformation of economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The new submarine cable system is anticipated to play a vital role in fostering economic cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore while ensuring that both nations remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

As the INSICA project progresses toward its 2026 launch, stakeholders from both countries and beyond will closely monitor its development, recognising its significant potential for regional connectivity and economic growth.