I-AM Cable

Overview

The I-AM Cable is a submarine telecommunications system spanning approximately 8,100 km, designed to enhance connectivity across East and Southeast Asia. It links four countries-Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea-via six landing points. The cable is set to be operational by 2029 and is owned by Intra‑Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd. Strategically positioned, the I-AM Cable aims to serve some of the most densely connected internet hubs in the Asia-Pacific region, providing robust intra-regional connectivity. This system is expected to complement existing infrastructure by focusing on high-capacity, low-latency links within the region.

Route and Landings

The I-AM Cable features six landing points, three of which are in Japan: Fukuoka, Minamiboso, and Shima. These locations ensure coverage for both the eastern and western coasts of Japan, facilitating diverse connectivity options. In South Korea, the cable lands in Busan, the country’s primary international cable gateway, located on its southeastern coast. Singapore’s landing point is at Changi, a key telecommunications hub on the island’s northeastern coast. In Malaysia, the cable terminates at Sedili, a coastal town on the eastern side of Peninsular Malaysia. This configuration strategically links major economic and data exchange hubs across the region, crossing the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea.

The choice of landing points reflects the cable's focus on connecting high-demand locations. Busan serves as a critical node for South Korea’s international data traffic, while Changi and Sedili anchor the southern end of the system, supporting Singapore’s role as a global connectivity hub and Malaysia’s growing digital economy. The three Japanese landings enhance redundancy and resilience for the nation’s data infrastructure, ensuring robust links to Southeast Asia and South Korea.

Ownership and History

The I-AM Cable is owned entirely by Intra‑Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd., distinguishing it from many other submarine cable systems in the region, which are often developed through multi-party consortiums. This single-owner model allows for streamlined decision-making and operational control. While the cable is still in its pre-service phase, it represents a significant investment in regional connectivity, with construction and deployment anticipated in the years leading up to its planned readiness in 2029.

Historically, the Japan-Malaysia-Singapore-South Korea corridor has been served by earlier systems such as EAC-C2C, which has operated since 2002, and newer systems like SeaMeWe-6, expected to be ready in 2026. The I-AM Cable’s design reflects a focus on intra-Asian connectivity rather than intercontinental reach, distinguishing it from longer multi-regional cables. Its deployment underscores the growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency links within Asia, driven by the region’s expanding digital economy and increasing internet usage.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the I-AM Cable system has measured 67 distinct data corridors, offering insights into its performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 1 millisecond, while the average RTT across all tested routes is 145 milliseconds. These figures highlight the system’s potential for low-latency communication, critical for applications such as financial trading, cloud computing, and real-time collaboration. The geographic diversity of the cable’s landing points contributes to its ability to maintain stable performance across varying routes.

The I-AM Cable’s measured performance underscores its role as a high-capacity backbone for intra-Asian data traffic. By linking key hubs such as Busan, Changi, and multiple Japanese cities, the system supports seamless data exchange across the region. Its strategic placement and robust design ensure that it will play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity in East and Southeast Asia.