In today’s digital era, the internet has become a fundamental necessity for people around the world, including in Indonesia. From communication and business to education and entertainment, nearly every sector depends on fast and stable internet connectivity. However, many are unaware that nearly all the data we access daily—whether from domestic or international sources—travels through a dedicated path lying deep beneath the ocean. This path is known as the submarine cable system, a crucial infrastructure that supports more than 99% of Indonesia’s internet traffic today.

What Are Submarine Cables?

Submarine cables are fiber optic cable networks laid on the seabed to connect different geographical regions. These cables transmit data using light pulses at high speed and massive capacity. Fiber optic cables can carry data at rates of terabytes per second, making them a superior choice compared to alternatives like satellites and cellular towers.

Interestingly, submarine cables were first developed in the 19th century for telegraph communication. With technological advancements, they are now used for internet connectivity, voice communications, and various digital services. Each cable can contain hundreds of fiber strands, each capable of transmitting vast amounts of data.

The Structure of Submarine Cables

Modern submarine cables are designed to withstand immense underwater pressure, electromagnetic interference, and physical damage. They typically consist of several protective layers, including:

• Core fiber: The central part that carries the light signal.

• Cladding: A reflective layer that keeps the light within the core.

• Buffer coating: The first layer of protection against moisture.

• Steel wire armor: A mechanical protection layer made of steel.

• Outer sheath: The outermost layer resistant to seawater and pressure.

These cables are laid on the ocean floor by specialized ships capable of deploying thousands of kilometers of cable at a time.

Submarine Cables in Indonesia: The Digital Lifeline

As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia has over 17,000 islands spread across the equator. This unique geography makes building a reliable communications network particularly challenging. Terrestrial infrastructure can’t reach every island, which is why submarine cables play a strategic role in connecting islands and linking Indonesia to the global network.

International Cable Systems

Indonesia is connected to several international submarine cable systems linking it to countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. Key systems include:

• SEA-ME-WE (South East Asia – Middle East – Western Europe)
   Connects Southeast Asia to Europe via the Middle East.

• APG (Asia Pacific Gateway)
   Connects Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

• IGG (Indigo Global Gateway)
   Links Indonesia directly with Australia and the United States.

• SMW-5 and B3JS
   SMW-5 connects Singapore to several Southeast Asian locations, including Indonesia. B3JS (Jakarta-Bangka-Bintan-Batam-Singapore) connects major Indonesian cities to Singapore.

Domestic Cable Systems

In addition to international links, Indonesia has critical domestic cable systems, including:

• Palapa Ring
   A national project deploying fiber optic cables from Sabang to Merauke. It is divided into three regions—Western, Central, and Eastern—and serves as the backbone of digital connectivity in remote and border areas.

• Matrix Cable System and Jasuka (Java–Sumatra–Kalimantan)
   These systems connect major Indonesian islands and are used by various telecom operators.

Why Submarine Cables Are Preferred Over Satellites

While satellites are still used, especially in extremely remote areas, they have limitations compared to submarine cables. The main reasons submarine cables are preferred include:

• High capacity and speed
   Fiber optics can carry massive amounts of data at ultra-fast speeds—ideal for today’s internet demands.

• Low latency
   Signals in cables travel faster than radio waves from satellites, resulting in lower latency.

  • Better stability
     Submarine cables provide more consistent performance as they are not affected by weather conditions like satellites.

• Cost-efficiency
   Although installation is expensive, operational costs are significantly lower over time compared to satellite usage.
  
  

Risks and Challenges of Submarine Cable Infrastructure

Despite their reliability, submarine cables face several risks and challenges:

1. Physical Damage
    Causes include:

   • Ship anchors accidentally dropping onto cable routes.

   • Heavy fishing equipment.

   • Earthquakes and tectonic activity.

   • Rare incidents involving marine animals.

2. Complex Maintenance
    Repairs are costly and time-consuming, requiring specialized ships to retrieve and fix cables before laying them back down.

3. Cybersecurity Threats
    In addition to physical risks, submarine cables are increasingly seen as strategic infrastructure, making them potential targets in cyber or geopolitical conflicts. Major powers now view these cables as critical assets needing protection from interception or sabotage.
   
   

The Future of Submarine Cables

With the ever-growing demand for high-speed internet, the need for more submarine cables continues to rise. Global tech giants such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Amazon, and Microsoft are now actively investing in undersea cable projects to support their cloud services.

As a strategic country in the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia will remain a vital hub in the global submarine cable network. Investments in this infrastructure will significantly boost the national digital economy, impacting sectors like fintech, e-commerce, digital healthcare, and distance learning.

Advancing Technology

Next-generation submarine cables are being developed with innovations such as:

• Capacities of tens of terabytes per second (Tbps).

• Open cable technology allowing multiple operators to share a single system.

• Real-time monitoring systems to detect faults and enable preventive maintenance.

Though hidden deep beneath the ocean, submarine cables are indispensable in supporting almost all digital activity in Indonesia. With more than 99% of the country’s internet traffic relying on this infrastructure, understanding its role helps raise public awareness about the importance of protecting and developing our national digital backbone.

To stay updated with the latest information, visit mycarrier.co.id.