Kangaroo Island 2

Overview

The Kangaroo Island 2 submarine cable is a regional telecommunications system connecting Cape Jervis and Kingscote in South Australia. Scheduled to be ready for service in 2024, this cable is designed to enhance connectivity between the mainland and Kangaroo Island, a region known for its ecological significance and tourism. Owned by SA Power Networks, the cable represents a critical infrastructure project aimed at improving digital services for residents, businesses and visitors. While specific technical details such as the cable's length remain unavailable, its purpose as a short interconnect is evident from its endpoints, which are separated by the Backstairs Passage, a narrow strait in southern Australia.

Submarine cables like Kangaroo Island 2 are essential for bridging physical divides between remote or semi-remote areas and urban centers. By linking these two locations, the cable will play a key role in supporting reliable telecommunications, internet access and potentially other utilities for Kangaroo Island, one of South Australia's most prominent natural and cultural landmarks.

Route and Landings

Kangaroo Island 2 connects Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. Cape Jervis, located approximately 107 kilometers south of Adelaide, is a small coastal town that serves as a critical gateway to Kangaroo Island. The town is also the departure point for ferries crossing the Backstairs Passage, a 15-kilometer-wide strait known for its strong tidal currents and challenging navigation conditions. This geographic context underscores the importance of a submarine cable to ensure consistent connectivity between the mainland and the island.

Kingscote, the largest town on Kangaroo Island, is located on the island's northeast coast. As the administrative and commercial hub of the island, Kingscote is vital for local residents and businesses. The cable's landing in Kingscote will provide a direct link to Cape Jervis, bolstering the island's telecommunications infrastructure. This connection is particularly significant given the island's reliance on robust digital services to support its tourism-driven economy and isolated communities.

Ownership and History

The Kangaroo Island 2 submarine cable is owned by SA Power Networks, a utility company responsible for electricity distribution across South Australia. While primarily focused on power infrastructure, SA Power Networks' involvement in this project highlights the growing convergence of utilities and telecommunications in regional development. This cable replaces or supplements earlier infrastructure, ensuring continued service for Kangaroo Island's population and visitors.

The cable is part of a broader effort to modernize and secure the island's critical infrastructure. Kangaroo Island's unique position as a remote yet highly visited destination necessitates reliable connectivity to support both its permanent residents and the influx of tourists. The deployment of Kangaroo Island 2 reflects a commitment to addressing these needs while preparing the region for future growth and technological demands.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the Kangaroo Island 2 cable system has not yet begun, as the cable is not expected to be operational until 2024. However, the geographic conditions of the Backstairs Passage and the surrounding areas provide insight into the challenges and considerations involved in laying this cable. The strait's strong tidal flows and rocky seabed likely required careful planning to ensure the cable's durability and performance.

Once operational, our probes will assess the cable's performance in terms of latency, capacity and reliability. Given the short distance between Cape Jervis and Kingscote, the cable is expected to deliver low-latency connections, critical for modern telecommunications. Additionally, the system's resilience will be a key focus, particularly in light of the environmental and logistical challenges posed by the Backstairs Passage. The data collected will help evaluate the cable's impact on connectivity for Kangaroo Island's residents, businesses and visitors.