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Initiative enables higher traffic capacity to meet rising regional communications demand Candle a 8, 000 km, 24-fibre pair submarine cable linking six ASEAN nations is set to launch in 2028 TM, Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS Inc., PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, and NEC Corporation are collaborating to develop the Candle submarine cable system. In a joint statement, the parties noted that Candle is a 24-fibre pair, 8, 000 km submarine cable system connecting Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, and is scheduled to begin operations in 2028. It will contribute to infrastructure expansion and secure redundant routes to meet the increasing demand for data communications driven by 5G and AI. The cable system, said to be among the first in the Asia-Pacific region to use a 24-fibre pair design, will enable greater traffic capacity to meet the regions growing communications demand, they added. Chairperson of the Candle management committee, Don Pang, said, Candle represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the regions digital infrastructure. As the need for robust, high-speed connectivity grows, Candle will deliver greater network diversity and resilience along this essential corridor, leveraging state-of-the-art technology. This milestone reflects the deep collaboration among our partners and underscores our shared commitment to advancing digital inclusion and economic opportunity for over half a billion people in the Asia-Pacific region, he added. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TMs group CEO, said, TMs participation in the Candle submarine cable system project demonstrates our commitment to building resilient digital infrastructure that meets the growing demand for digital services and cloud-based, AI-driven innovation across Asia. It strengthens our ability to support hyperscalers, enterprises and global service providers in expanding their footprint across ASEAN, while reinforcing Malaysias role as ASEANs digital hub. This initiative bodes well with our aspiration to become a digital powerhouse by 2030 connecting Malaysia to the world, and the world to Malaysia, he added. Kimimasa Kudo, vice president and head of global business division, enterprise unit, SoftBank Corp., said, With the rapid advancement of generative AI and the internet of things (IoT), the demand for international telecommunications is expected to continue accelerating. Candle adopts a 24-fibre pair architecture, making it one of the core foundations of next-generation social infrastructure that SoftBank is promoting. By integrating with other submarine cables such as Jupiter, ADC and E2A, we will further enhance the diversity and redundancy of global communications networks originating from Japan, and strengthen Japans role as a digital gateway for Asia, he added. Meanwhile, Tomonori Uematsu, general manager, submarine network division, NEC Corporation, said, NEC is a leading vendor in the submarine cable system business with over 60 years of experience. We are particularly strong in leading subsea projects in the Asia-Pacific region, having been responsible for eight optical submarine cable systems connecting Japan and Singapore, including Candle. In this project, NEC will participate as a system integrator, providing everything from the manufacture of submarine cables and repeaters to route design, installation and testing. Through the establishment of a highly reliable communication environment in the Asia region, NEC will contribute to the development of the digital economy, he added. This initiative is a milestone in collective partnerships and commitment to strengthening regional connectivity, ensuring secure and reliable international data transmission, and advancing the digital growth of communities and businesses across ASEAN. Continue reading TM joins Candle Submarine Cable System Consortium to connect Malaysia and ASEAN countries to Japan→