The consortium selected Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build a 12,500 km transpacific fibre optic network designed to significantly enhance digital connectivity between Asia and North America.

Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank says there has been a massive surge in demand driven by cloud computing, data processing and next-generation mobile networks, the need for ultra-high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure.

"The E2A represents a major step forward in global communications, delivering unprecedented performance, scalability, and reliability, while integrating sustainability-driven design principles," Softbank says.

The transpacific E2A submarine cable system will link major digital hubs in Asia and North America, with landings in Maruyama (Chiba, Japan), Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea) and Morro Bay (California, USA).

The E2A cable will feature 12 fibre pairs (FP) delivering capacity of more than 192 Tbps, 18kV power feeding technology, Open Cable System architecture, and has an expected Ready for Service (RFS) date in the second half of 2028.

“We're very pleased to have initiated the project for a new submarine cable connecting East Asia and the United States," said Teruyuki Oya, Vice President, Head of the Mobile & Network Division, Technology Unit, at SoftBank Corp.

"As we enter an era where AI is being fully implemented, the importance of international submarine cables connecting not only Japan and the United States but also major parts of Asia as arteries of information is increasing.

"SoftBank will advance the development of global, multifaceted, and stable platforms by building infrastructure for the AI era.”