NTT Data, Sumitomo Corporation, and JA Mitsui Leasing are joining forces for a new APAC subsea cable.
The three companies this week announced the joint establishment of a new company, Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd., to construct and operate a large-scale submarine communication cable.
The new system, known as the Intra-Asia Marine Cable (I-AM Cable), will connect Japan (Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture; Shima, Mie Prefecture; Fukuoka), Malaysia, and Singapore, with additional connectivity to South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It is set to launch in 2029.
The 8,100 km cable will adopt the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, accommodating up to 16 fiber pairs (32 cores) per cable for a total capacity of approximately 320 terabits per second.
“The launch of I-AM NW marks a significant step in strengthening Asia’s digital infrastructure,” said Yoshio Sato, CEO at I-AM NW. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Founded in 1919, Sumitomo Corporation is one of the largest sōgō shōsha general trading companies, with investments across metals, automotive, real estate, agriculture, energy, and more. It is part of the Sumitomo Group, a collection of companies with roots back to a bookshop founded in Kyoto in the early 1600s.
JA Mitsui Leasing is a leasing and financial services company linked to the JA Group and the Mitsui Group. It has previously invested in the Juno cable system.
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