Vocus’ Australian Singapore Cable (ASC) system is operating with an end-to-end total capacity of up to 60 terabits per second (Tbps) – 50 per cent more capacity than when it launched less than 10 months ago.

That gives us — and our customers — a unique level of flexibility, as well as strategic options for future expansion.

The system comprises four fibre pairs providing different connection points between Perth and Singapore, as well as into Christmas Island and Indonesia.

The design, the optical technology chosen, the ultra-specific engineering and the high standard of manufacture, assembly and construction are what have given us the flexibility to significantly increase the capacity of each leg of the ASC.

In addition to the increased end-to-end capacity, the ASC’s Singapore-to-Indonesia connection now has a capacity of up to 44Tbps. Its Perth-to-Indonesia connection now has a capacity of up to 33Tbps.

With Asia Pacific continuing to be the epicentre of global growth, the ASC will continue providing valuable opportunities for governments, businesses and consumers for years to come.

It’s the perfect example of how secure, reliable, high-speed, high-performance networks are amongst the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our world today. That’s something businesses around the world and particularly in Asia Pacific are well attuned to, resulting in a strong demand on the ASC.

Since launch, we have nearly sold 10 times the entire capacity of the Sea-Me-We3 cable system on the ASC. Based on the current demand, we expect to see capacity on the ASC exceed 4Tbps within the first 12 months of launch, and there is increasing demand across all paths to the west.

The planning and design that we put into the ASC also gives us options for further strategic investments in our fibre network, such as a connection to our existing North West Cable system that extends from Port Hedland to Darwin, servicing Australia’s oil and gas and mining sectors.

It also gives us more options into Indonesia, the fourth most-populated nation in the world and the seventh-largest economy, which is growing around 5 per cent each year.

The ASC system is an advanced, high capacity, low latency, secure and reliable submarine fibre optic cable system. It is also the first that is 100 per cent owned by a telco carrier.

Stretching 4,600km between Perth and Singapore, with connections to Christmas Island and Indonesia, the ASC provides an alternate and direct high capacity route to Asia Pacific, as well as alternate connections to Europe and the United States.