India, July 21 -- A new high-capacity submarine cable system is set to transform digital connectivity across East Asia. Singtel and a consortium of major tech and telecom firms have signed a contract with NEC Corporation to build the Asia United Gateway East (AUG East) cable, which will span approximately 8,900 kilometres. The cable will link Singapore and Japan, passing through Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan. Completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2029.

The consortium behind AUG East includes Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, ARTERIA Networks, Chunghwa Telecom, DREAMLINE, Globe Telecom, Telekom Malaysia, and Unified National Networks. Singtel chairs the group.

According to Alan Tan, Chairp...