FASTER

Overview of the FASTER Cable

The FASTER cable is a high-capacity submarine cable system designed to enhance connectivity between Asia and North America. Launched in 2016, it is owned by a consortium comprising China Mobile, China Telecom, Google, KDDI, Singtel, and TIME dotCom. Its primary purpose is to provide faster and more reliable internet connections across the Pacific Ocean, catering to the growing demand for bandwidth in the region.

Geography and Landing Points

The FASTER cable spans 11,629 kilometers and connects major landing points in three countries: the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. Its landing points are:

• Bandon, OR, United States
• Chikura, Japan
• Shima, Japan
• Tanshui, Taiwan

This route strategically connects the west coast of the United States with key locations in East Asia, facilitating robust international data exchange.

Architecture and Technical Specifications

The FASTER cable system boasts advanced architecture designed to support high-speed data transmission. It spans 11,629 kilometers and has a capacity of 60 Tbps, making it one of the fastest trans-Pacific cables at the time of its deployment. The cable includes multiple fiber pairs, though the exact number is publicly not disclosed. The cable was supplied by NEC Corporation, a leading provider of submarine cable systems, and became ready for service (RFS) in 2016.

Regional Impact and Importance

The FASTER cable plays a significant role in enhancing connectivity between Asia and North America. It serves as a critical component of the region's infrastructure by providing diverse routing options and reducing dependence on older systems. Additionally, it offers redundancy and helps mitigate risks associated with cable outages or disruptions. Its presence complements other regional systems like the New Cross Pacific (NCP) Cable System, E2A, and Australia-Japan Cable (AJC), ensuring a more resilient network topology.

What Is Known and What Remains Undisclosed

Publicly available information about the FASTER cable includes its length, capacity, landing points, ownership, supplier, and RFS year. However, certain details remain undisclosed, such as the precise number of fiber pairs and specific operational metrics. While the cable's overall architecture is known, deeper insights into maintenance schedules or exact routing paths are publicly not available.

Why FASTER Matters for GeoCables Monitoring

From a monitoring perspective, the FASTER cable is an essential system for tracking regional connectivity and network performance. Key areas of focus include BGP routing changes, latency patterns, and the impact of cable disruptions on global internet traffic. Additionally, monitoring ship movements near the cable's route is critical to prevent accidental damage, given the cable's strategic importance in trans-Pacific communication. Correlating network degradation with external factors like natural disasters or shipping activity can provide valuable insights into the cable's resilience.

Conclusion

The FASTER cable is a vital component of the trans-Pacific communications infrastructure, delivering high-speed connectivity between Asia and North America. While certain technical details remain undisclosed, its publicly known specifications highlight its importance in supporting the region's growing data demands. For GeoCables and similar monitoring platforms, the cable represents an important subject for tracking and analysis, ensuring the resilience and reliability of global internet networks.