Indonesia Strengthens Digital Infrastructure with New Undersea Cable

On July 20, 2026, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), in collaboration with BW Digital and supported by Nongsa Digital Park (NDP), successfully landed the Nongsa Changi Cable (NCC) in Batam, Indonesia. This undersea cable is expected to enhance digital connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore, facilitating the growth of the digital economy in the region.

The cable landing event was attended by several dignitaries, including Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. Hartarto emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure in supporting Indonesia's digital transformation, stating that NCC serves as a physical foundation for a new digital corridor linking the two nations. He remarked that the presence of NCC is expected to strengthen the strategic position of both countries in the global digital ecosystem and open avenues for investment and innovation.

“The presence of NCC is expected to strengthen the strategic position of both countries in the global digital ecosystem.”Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs

The NCC, which spans approximately 50 kilometers and boasts a capacity of 24 fiber pairs, is designed to meet the increasing demand for high-capacity and low-latency connectivity, particularly in light of the rapid growth of cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), and data center interconnectivity in Southeast Asia. The cable is expected to provide over 1.6 petabits per second of additional capacity with a latency of less than 2 milliseconds, supporting advanced digital services such as high-frequency financial transactions and next-generation digital services.

According to Setyanto Hantoro, Managing Director of Business-2 at Danantara Indonesia, strategic investments like NCC are crucial for enhancing digital sovereignty and infrastructure, which can catalyze innovation and competitiveness across various industrial sectors. He stated that the presence of this infrastructure is expected to create an economic multiplier effect by fostering the growth of various industries in Batam and Indonesia as a whole, ultimately strengthening national economic growth and resilience.

“The presence of this infrastructure is expected to create an economic multiplier effect by fostering the growth of various industries.”Setyanto Hantoro, Managing Director, Danantara Indonesia

The NCC is part of a broader initiative known as the Indonesia Cable Express (ICE), which aims to bolster international connectivity and support the development of a more integrated digital ecosystem. Dian Siswarini, CEO of Telkom, reaffirmed the company's commitment to enhancing Indonesia's digital sovereignty through sustainable infrastructure development. She noted that NCC represents a strategic collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore in building a more connected and competitive digital ecosystem.

Batam is rapidly emerging as Indonesia's second digital gateway, following Jakarta, thanks to its strategic location, reliable connectivity, and supportive investment climate. The NDP1 facility, operated by BW Digital, has an IT capacity of 120 megawatts, while a new hyperscale campus is being developed with a contracted electricity supply line of up to 450 megawatts.

“NCC represents a strategic collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore in building a more connected and competitive digital ecosystem.”Dian Siswarini, CEO, Telkom

In a broader context, the NCC project aligns with Indonesia's ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure, which includes enhancing energy supply and ensuring a transparent business environment. The government aims to expand renewable energy and mixed energy capacity to over 100 gigawatts in the coming decade.

As part of the ongoing collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore, the NCC project follows the Leaders' Retreat held in early July 2026, where both countries discussed enhancing digital connectivity and investment in the Batam-Bintan-Karimun area. Hartarto concluded that the digital corridor should be built not only with cables and data centers but also with trust, partnerships, and a shared vision, benefiting not just Indonesia and Singapore but the entire ASEAN region and beyond.