China Telecom recently announced that the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) project has been completed ahead of schedule. The cable, spanning approximately 10,000 kilometers, acts as a new submarine link in the Asia-Pacific region – the first in over eight years. Developed by a consortium, which includes China Telecom, China Unicom, Singtel, SoftBank, Tata Communications, and Viettel, the ADC is now fully operational with a capacity of over 160 Tbps.
This cable provides a much-needed boost for connectivity in the region. It supports the rapidly increasing network capacity demands. Existing cable resources faced strain, thus the activation of ADC capacity brings a solution by easing congestion and enhancing services such as cloud computing and big data analytics. The completion involves the wet plant of the ADC being service-ready since last November, while the dry plant section reached full operational status this week.
The involvement of China Telecom as one of the Co-chairs of the consortium played a significant role. Despite potential delays, cohesive coordination among stakeholders ensured the project’s successful completion. This endeavor highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in large-scale infrastructure projects. The newly available connection is anticipated to enhance digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific. It supports technology development and facilitates digital transformation across various industries.
Further, the ADC’s launch demonstrates China Telecom’s commitment to expanding its global network, addressing the growing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity. As digital requirements continue to shape the telecommunications landscape, the effective management and introduction of such capacities are crucial.
