Completion of SMAP Submarine Cable Marks Major Connectivity Milestone for Australia

SUBCO has finalized the last splice of its SMAP submarine cable, connecting Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. This 5,000 km system is designed to carry over 400 Tbps, significantly enhancing Australia's domestic connectivity. The completion of the splice, located in Victorian waters, concludes the wet plant construction phase, allowing for end-to-end system acceptance testing and commissioning. This project represents Australia's largest transcontinental capacity upgrade in nearly 25 years. The cable, referred to as a 'hypercable', features 16 fiber pairs and aims to provide greater resilience and diversity in the Sydney-Perth corridor. SUBCO has invested approximately AUD $750 million in this and other submarine cable projects. The SMAP system is expected to become operational soon, marking a significant advancement in Australia's digital infrastructure.

Key Points: • The SMAP cable connects Australia's four largest cities with a capacity of over 400 Tbps. • The final splice marks the end of marine construction and the start of system testing. • SUBCO has invested nearly AUD $750 million in this project and others to enhance connectivity.