INDIGO-Central

Overview

INDIGO-Central is a submarine cable system spanning 4850 kilometers, connecting the eastern and western coasts of Australia. It was officially ready for service in 2019 and serves as a critical infrastructure component for domestic connectivity within the country. The cable links Alexandria, located in New South Wales (NSW), to Perth, the capital city of Western Australia (WA). By bridging these two major regions, INDIGO-Central enhances telecommunications, internet access, and data transfer capabilities across Australia.

This system is part of the broader INDIGO cable network, which also includes INDIGO-West, a separate segment connecting Australia to Southeast Asia. INDIGO-Central specifically focuses on domestic connectivity, addressing the need for high-capacity links between the east and west coasts of the country. Its deployment underscores the growing demand for reliable, high-speed communication infrastructure to support Australia's economic, academic, and technological development.

Route and Landings

INDIGO-Central connects two landing points within Australia: Alexandria in New South Wales and Perth in Western Australia. Alexandria, a suburb of Sydney, is a key urban area in NSW and serves as a hub for technology, research, and business activities. Its proximity to Sydney, Australia's largest city, makes it a strategic choice for hosting a submarine cable landing station.

On the western end, the cable lands in Perth, a city that plays a vital role in Australia's economy. Perth is a gateway to the resource-rich regions of Western Australia, which are globally significant for mining and energy production. The cable's route traverses the southern Indian Ocean, a vast and geologically complex body of water. By linking these two distant regions, INDIGO-Central ensures seamless data transmission across a country known for its vast geographic expanse.

The route also highlights the importance of connecting Australia's eastern and western coasts, which are separated by thousands of kilometers of sparsely populated terrain. Submarine cables like INDIGO-Central provide a more efficient and reliable alternative to terrestrial networks, which can be challenging to build and maintain over such distances.

Ownership and History

INDIGO-Central is operated by a consortium of stakeholders, reflecting a mix of academic, corporate, and telecommunications interests. The ownership group includes Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNET), Google, Indosat Ooredoo, Singtel Optus, and Superloop. Each member brings unique expertise and resources to the project, ensuring the cable's operational reliability and long-term viability.

The cable was officially ready for service in 2019, marking a significant milestone in Australia's telecommunications landscape. Its deployment is part of a broader trend of increasing investment in submarine cable systems to meet the growing demand for high-speed, high-capacity connectivity. INDIGO-Central's construction was driven by the need to support Australia's digital economy, research initiatives, and international business activities. The involvement of diverse stakeholders underscores the strategic importance of the cable for both domestic and global connectivity.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring indicates that INDIGO-Central consistently delivers high-speed, low-latency connectivity between its two landing points. The cable's design incorporates advanced optical technologies, enabling it to handle significant data volumes with minimal signal degradation over its 4850-kilometer length. This performance is critical for supporting bandwidth-intensive applications such as cloud computing, video streaming, and scientific research.

The cable's reliability is particularly important for Western Australia, which relies on robust telecommunications infrastructure to support its mining, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Our probes show that INDIGO-Central plays a key role in bridging the digital divide between Australia's eastern and western regions, ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet and fostering economic growth across the country. By providing a stable and efficient link, the cable enhances Australia's overall connectivity and strengthens its position in the global digital economy.