StarHub Joins top Asian carriers to Build Asia Submarine-Cable Express (ASE)
Singapore, 31 January 2011 — StarHub today announced that it has joined top Asian carriers to build and operate the Asia Submarine-Cable Express, a 7,200 kilometre undersea cable system linking Singapore directly to Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong. The system will also have connectivity to Malaysia and potentially future connectivity to Mainland China, as well as other Southeast Asian countries.
Set to operate by June 2012, the ASE will boast a total bandwidth carrying capacity in excess of 15 terabits per second and will incorporate latest 40G optical technologies. The ASE is also future-proof and has the capability to incorporate 100Gbps optical technology in the future. In addition, the new submarine cable system is specifically designed to avoid earthquake and typhoon-prone regions, such as the Bashi Channel south of Taiwan while at the same time covers the shortest possible distance between Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, in order to ensure maximum reliability and minimum latency.
“The launch of ASE in East Asia will be a great complement for our strong connections into the US via the Asia-America Gateway (AAG). Together with the AAG, the ASE will well equip us to handle the next level of challenges and competition where network operators will compete on speed and reliability. For the average consumer, the ASE is great news given the rapidly increasing popularity of video streaming, advanced multimedia applications, and gadgets like smartphones and tablets. For businesses – especially those that deal with time-critical transactions, a network that minimises latency is vital and can make or break a deal,” said StarHub’s Chief Operating Offer, Tan Tong Hai.
The ASE is being built jointly by StarHub, Japan-based NTT Communications, Philippines-based PLDT and Malaysia-based Telekom Malaysia. The total cost of construction is estimated to be about USD430 million.