asian-backbone
The Materialization of Digital Sovereignty
The September 2025 announcement marked the beginning of a critical operational phase for the Asian digital infrastructure. XLSmart, together with Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS Inc., TM Technology Services, and NEC Corporation, initiated the construction of the Candle Cable System. This project is not just a simple expansion of network capacity, but a structural intervention that changes the physical flow of data in the Asia-Pacific region. The 8,000-kilometer system will connect Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan, creating a direct corridor that bypasses traditional trans-Pacific routes managed primarily by US operators.
The choice of a configuration with 24 pairs of optical fibers—a density higher than the average of existing regional backbones—indicates an operational priority oriented towards maximizing throughput and reducing latency. With a total estimated capacity of 570 Terabits per second (Tbps), the Candle ranks as one of the most powerful submarine systems in the region. The goal of achieving full commercial operation by 2028 defines a precise timeframe for its impact on Asian telecommunications markets and cybersecurity.
The mechanism underlying this investment is the reduction of geopolitical friction in data flows. Currently, much of the internet traffic between East Asia and the West transits through cables managed by consortia that include significant US interests. The Candle introduces an alternative physical redundancy, allowing Asian governments and local technology companies to maintain direct control over their information flows without relying on infrastructure external to the region.
Technical Anatomy of the Infrastructure Node
The construction of the Candle Cable System requires extreme engineering precision, given the depth and complexity of the seabed it traverses. NEC Corporation was commissioned as a system supplier, managing the complete integration that includes cable production, route design, underwater installation, optical repeaters, and final testing phases. The choice of NEC, a global leader in telecommunications technology, guarantees high standards for the durability and reliability of the infrastructure.
A key element of the design is the management of landing stations. Indonesia has selected Tanjung Bemban in Batam as the main entry point, a strategic location near Singapore that facilitates integration with local and regional terrestrial networks. This configuration allows efficient distribution of data traffic to the different member countries of the consortium, minimizing bottlenecks at interconnection points.
The 570 Tbps capacity is not just an abstract number, but a measure of the physical ability to transport information. To put it in context, this amount of data could support the traffic generated by millions of cloud services, artificial intelligence applications, and real-time financial communications. The density of 24 fiber pairs also offers greater resilience: in case of failure on one pair, the system can redistribute the load onto the others, ensuring operational continuity.
The Strategic Role of Technology Partners
The collaboration between Meta, SoftBank, and the national operators (XLSmart, TM, IPS) reflects a hybrid model of investment in critical infrastructure. Meta, as the main promoter of the project, aims to ensure direct connectivity for its cloud and social services, reducing latency for Asian users. SoftBank, with its historical presence in Japanese telecommunications, brings operational expertise in managing transnational networks.
IPS Inc., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, represents a new player in the consortium of international submarine cables, signaling Japan’s interest in diversifying its technological dependencies. The participation of national operators such as XLSmart and TM ensures that the rights to use capacity are distributed fairly among the countries involved, strengthening regional cooperation.
Microeconomic Mapping of Impacts
The economic impact of the Candle Cable System manifests through changes in data transportation costs and the competitiveness of local markets. For Asian companies operating in cloud computing, the availability of a high-capacity backbone with low latency means lower costs for transferring information to regional data centers. This competitive advantage could attract further investment in digital infrastructure in the region.
For national telecommunications operators, direct access to the Candle reduces dependence on international transits managed by third parties, allowing them to offer faster and more reliable services to corporate clients. The 570 Tbps capacity also offers opportunities to sell excess bandwidth to other operators or governments, generating new revenue streams.
However, implementing the project involves significant costs. Building a submarine cable of this magnitude requires investment in specialized laying ships, optical repeaters, and terrestrial landing infrastructure. The expected completion time until 2028 implies a prolonged period of financial outlays before the system begins to generate operating revenues.
Consequences for Regional Cybersecurity
Digital sovereignty is not only a political issue but has concrete implications for information security. With the Candle, Asian governments can implement stricter data management policies, directly controlling where and how information flows across their national borders. This reduces exposure to potential interceptions or blocks imposed by external actors.
At the same time, the concentration of capacity in a single backbone creates a new point of physical vulnerability. Damage to the Candle could significantly disrupt data traffic between East Asia and Southeast Asia, making it crucial to develop emergency plans and alternative routes.
Future Trajectory and Structural Limitations
The planned operational start in 2028 marks the beginning of a new era in Asian connectivity. The Candle Cable System will not only provide additional capacity, but also set a new standard for regional infrastructure cooperation. Its existence will reduce US technological hegemony in trans-Pacific data routes, offering Asian states greater decision-making autonomy.
The structural limitation of this project lies in its dependence on the political stability of member countries and the continuous maintenance of the underwater infrastructure. Unexpected geopolitical events or physical damage to the cable could compromise its effectiveness, making it essential to develop complementary redundant networks.
Monitoring the progress of the Candle construction and its implications for regional data latency will be crucial to understanding the evolution of Asian digital balances in the coming years. The system represents a significant case study on how physical infrastructure can redefine the geopolitics of information.
Photo by Joseph Sharp on Unsplash
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