RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The construction of the Nongsa–Changi Submarine Cable System marks a major step in strengthening digital connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore.

The infrastructure is projected to become the cornerstone of a new digital corridor supporting artificial intelligence (AI)-based services, data centers, and cloud computing in Southeast Asia.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said the undersea cable has a capacity of more than 1.6 petabits per second (Pbps) with latency of less than 2 milliseconds. Developed by Telin in collaboration with BW Digital, the system also strengthens one of the fastest digital connections between Indonesia and Singapore.

“This infrastructure serves as the physical foundation for a new digital corridor that strengthens one of the fastest and closest digital connections in Southeast Asia between Indonesia and Singapore,” Minister Airlangga said during the Cable Landing Ceremony in Batam, Riau Islands, on Monday, July 20, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

The high-capacity, low-latency capability will support advanced cloud computing, AI inference, high-frequency financial transactions, and next-generation digital services. The cable also reinforces Batam’s position as Indonesia’s second digital gateway after Jakarta.

Indonesia currently has 235.26 million internet users with a penetration rate of 81.72 percent, and 99.5 million fixed broadband subscribers. The country is also the fourth-largest potential AI market in Asia after China, India, and Japan, with a market value of USD 70 billion, or about 6.4 percent of Asia’s AI market.

Batam’s digital ecosystem is expanding rapidly. BW Digital’s NDP1 facility has an IT capacity of 120 megawatts (MW), while DayOne, in partnership with INA, is building a hyperscale campus with contracted electricity supply of up to 450 MW. Oracle has also designated Batam as its North Cloud Region in Indonesia.

The Nongsa–Changi cable is a follow-up to Indonesia–Singapore cooperation through the 6 Working Groups (6WG) and stems from the Leaders’ Retreat between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in early July.

The government is also strengthening the digital ecosystem by expanding renewable energy capacity to more than 100 gigawatts (GW) this decade.

At the same time, Indonesia is pursuing accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to create a more predictable investment climate.

“Let’s build this digital corridor -- not only with cables and data centers, but also with trust, partnership, and a shared vision. May its benefits be felt not only by Indonesia and Singapore, but also by the entire ASEAN region and the world,” Minister Airlangga said. ***