Asia-America Gateway (AAG) Cable System

Overview

The Asia-America Gateway (AAG) Cable System is a 20,000-kilometer submarine fiber-optic cable network that connects Southeast Asia to the United States. Operational since November 2009, the AAG was the first transpacific cable system to directly link Southeast Asia with the U.S., bypassing traditional North Pacific routes. This design provides a critical data corridor between the two regions, enabling faster and more reliable internet connectivity. The system spans 10 landing points across 9 countries, forming a backbone for international telecommunications in the Asia-Pacific region.

Engineered with advanced Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology, the AAG initially launched with a capacity of 500 Gbps but has undergone multiple upgrades, including 40G and 100G enhancements. These upgrades have significantly increased its theoretical maximum capacity to nearly 20 Tbps. The cable system is designed to remain operational until 2034, providing over 25 years of service life. Its strategic route avoids seismically active zones near Taiwan, enhancing reliability compared to earlier transpacific systems.

Route and Landings

The AAG Cable System crosses the Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, connecting Southeast Asia to the U.S. mainland via Guam and Hawaii. Its route is divided into three main segments: the U.S. mainland to Hawaii (4,228 km), Hawaii to Hong Kong (10,728 km), and Hong Kong to Southeast Asia (5,235 km). This layout ensures a wide-reaching network that serves multiple countries and regions.

The system has 10 landing points in 9 countries: Changi North (Singapore), Keawaula (Hawaii, USA), Morro Bay (California, USA), Tanguisson Point (Guam), Lantau Island (Hong Kong, China), Vung Tau (Vietnam), Tungku (Brunei), Mersing (Malaysia), La Union (Philippines), and Sriracha (Thailand). These locations were strategically selected to connect major economic hubs and population centers while providing redundancy and resilience for international communications. The AAG’s route also facilitates connectivity for smaller nations like Brunei and Guam, which rely heavily on submarine cables for global internet access.

Ownership and History

The AAG Cable System is owned by a consortium of telecommunications companies, including AT&T, BT, Bharti Airtel, Eastern Telecom, Ezecom, and Globe Telecom, among others. In total, 19 companies from 11 countries contributed to the cable’s construction, which cost an estimated USD 500-560 million. Each consortium member owns a share of the cable’s capacity proportional to their investment, enabling them to serve their respective markets efficiently.

Since its launch in 2009, the AAG has played a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity between Asia and the United States. However, the system has faced challenges, including frequent outages, particularly in the Asian segments near Vietnam. These disruptions have highlighted the need for robust maintenance and alternative routing options. Despite these issues, the AAG remains a vital component of the global telecommunications infrastructure, supporting economic growth and digital transformation in the regions it serves.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the AAG Cable System spans 174 measured corridors, providing valuable insights into its performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 1 millisecond, while the average RTT across the system is 185 milliseconds. These metrics reflect the cable’s ability to deliver low-latency connectivity, particularly on its transpacific segments.

The cable’s performance varies across different routes, with the transpacific segment between the Philippines and the U.S. being the most stable. In contrast, the Asian segments, particularly near Vung Tau, Vietnam, are more prone to faults and outages. These issues are often caused by external factors such as fishing activities and seismic events. Despite these challenges, the AAG continues to provide critical connectivity for millions of users, underscoring its importance in the global telecommunications landscape.