Indonesia has taken a major step towards strengthening its digital infrastructure with the successful landing of the Nongsa Changi Cable (NCC), a new submarine cable system connecting Batam and Singapore. The project, developed through a collaboration between TelkomGroup, Telin, BW Digital and Nongsa Digital Park (NDP), is expected to improve international connectivity, support artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and data centres, and position Indonesia as a leading digital gateway in Southeast Asia.
The cable landing ceremony was held at Nongsa Digital Park in Batam and was attended by senior government leaders and industry executives from both Indonesia and Singapore. Among the dignitaries present were Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, highlighting the importance of the project for regional cooperation and economic development.
The NCC submarine cable spans approximately 50 kilometres across the Singapore Strait, making it one of the shortest and most direct digital links between Indonesia and Singapore. It is equipped with 24 fibre pairs designed to provide high-capacity and low-latency connectivity, supporting the rapidly growing demand for AI applications, cloud services, hyperscale platforms and data centre interconnection.
The project forms part of TelkomGroup’s broader Indonesia Cable Express (ICE) initiative, which aims to expand the country’s international digital infrastructure. Alongside the Indonesia Singapore Cable System (INSICA), the NCC is expected to strengthen network resilience, improve connectivity options and diversify international data routes between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the event, Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia’s digital transformation requires world-class physical infrastructure. According to him, the NCC will create a new digital corridor between Indonesia and Singapore, strengthening Batam’s role as the country’s digital gateway while attracting investment, innovation and technology-driven economic activities.
Officials also believe the project will deliver significant economic benefits beyond improved connectivity. The enhanced infrastructure is expected to attract investments in AI-ready data centres, accelerate enterprise digital transformation, strengthen cloud services and create new opportunities for businesses operating in Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Telkom Indonesia President Director Dian Siswarini described the project as a strategic collaboration that reinforces Indonesia’s digital sovereignty while creating mutual benefits for Singapore by providing greater connectivity and route diversity. The company believes sustainable investment in digital infrastructure will play a key role in supporting long-term economic growth across the region.
BW Digital Chief Executive Officer Ludovic Hutier said the cable demonstrates how strategic partnerships can deliver critical infrastructure needed for cloud computing, AI services and regional data centre expansion. The NCC also complements BW Digital’s growing ecosystem in Batam, which includes terrestrial fibre networks and a large-scale data centre campus.
Meanwhile, Nongsa Digital Park CEO Mike Wiluan said the cable landing represents more than just new infrastructure. He described it as the foundation of an integrated digital ecosystem combining connectivity, AI innovation, cloud platforms, data centres and technology talent, making Batam a strategic destination for future international submarine cable projects.
With digital services, AI technologies and cloud computing continuing to expand worldwide, projects such as the NCC are expected to play an important role in supporting Southeast Asia’s digital future. By strengthening international connectivity and creating new opportunities for investment and innovation, Indonesia is taking another significant step towards becoming a major regional digital hub.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
