KT to build submarine cable in Asia

South Korea’s KT Corp. announced on Thursday that it plans to build a new submarine cable to cater to the burgeoning demand for cloud services, big data, and internet traffic in Asia.

KT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Asia Link for Advanced Performance of High-speed Access (ALPHA) Project with telecom companies from various countries including Indonesia and Japan.

Under the MOU, KT and its partners intend to develop a network of cables linking South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

KT currently co-manages seven major overseas submarine cables, such as the Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2 (APCN-2) and the Asia-Pacific Gateway (APG).

These cables are crucial for fulfilling global demands for dedicated international lines and internet connectivity.

KT has also played a pivotal role in leading the consortium for five of these cable networks.

In leveraging its substantial expertise in undersea cable technology, KT aims to complete the planning phase for the ALPHA project within this year.

This includes incorporating cutting-edge technology and determining the most efficient cable routes, in collaboration with its consortium partners. 

Write to Ji-Eun Jeong at jeong@hankyung.com