Link 1 Phase-1: a regional submarine cable in Indonesia
Link 1 Phase-1 is a submarine cable system owned by XLSmart that connects two landing points in Indonesia:
Bulobulo and
Kawinda Nae. Spanning 368 kilometers, this cable is part of a broader family of systems operated by XLSmart, including
Link 1 Phase-2 and several other cables in the Link series. According to GeoCables records, it has been in service since 2003, though discrepancies in industry sources about the exact ready-for-service year may exist.
What makes this cable noteworthy is the lack of publicly disclosed details about its design capacity, fiber count, supplier, and technology. While such information is often available for larger international cables, regional infrastructure like Link 1 Phase-1 sometimes operates with less fanfare. This creates uncertainty about its technical specifications and operational role within XLSmart's network.
Quick facts
Route
Link 1 Phase-1 connects two locations within Indonesia: Bulobulo and Kawinda Nae. Both landing points are situated in a region with growing demand for telecommunications infrastructure, driven by increasing internet penetration and economic activity. Kawinda Nae hosts additional cables, such as Indonesia Tengah Cable Systems and Link 3 Phase-1, making it a hub for regional connectivity. The corridor served by Link 1 Phase-1 is relatively short at 368 km, which is typical for domestic systems designed to link islands or coastal areas.
Why it was built and what it carries
The cable was likely built to support regional connectivity within Indonesia, a country consisting of thousands of islands where submarine cables are essential for telecommunications. While specific details about its traffic or design capacity are not publicly disclosed, it can be inferred that Link 1 Phase-1 plays a role in XLSmart's broader network strategy, enabling data and voice communications between its landing points and supporting local internet service providers.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records show that Link 1 Phase-1 was ready for service in 2003. No conflicting dates are known from industry sources, though the possibility of discrepancies cannot be entirely ruled out without further documentation. XLSmart, the operator, has continued to develop related systems, such as Link 1 Phase-2 and others in the Link series, suggesting that Link 1 Phase-1 may have served as a foundational element of their infrastructure in the region.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available data does not confirm the design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or specific technology of Link 1 Phase-1. Without operator documentation, these parameters remain unknown. Regional cables like this often use standard technologies for their time, but attributing specific capacities or configurations without evidence would be speculative.
Latency: the physics
The theoretical one-way light propagation latency for the cable's wet segment is approximately 1.8 milliseconds, based on its 368 km length and the speed of light in fiber (200,000 to 204,000 km/s). The round-trip time (RTT) floor is therefore around 3.6 milliseconds. However, actual end-to-end latency will be higher due to the inclusion of land-based segments, terminal equipment, and routing delays. No live latency measurements are currently available for this cable, so its real-world performance cannot be assessed.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
If Link 1 Phase-1 were to experience a fault, redundancy would depend on alternative cables in the region. Kawinda Nae, one of its landing points, hosts other systems such as Indonesia Tengah Cable Systems and Link 3 Phase-1, which could provide backup connectivity. Repair logistics for submarine cables typically involve specialized vessels and equipment, and the repair timeline can vary depending on the nature of the fault, weather conditions, and vessel availability.
Bottom line
- Link 1 Phase-1 is a regional submarine cable connecting Bulobulo and Kawinda Nae in Indonesia.
- Its length is 368 km, and it has been recorded as ready for service since 2003.
- Owned by XLSmart, it is part of a larger family of cables operated by the company.
- Key technical details such as design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- The theoretical latency floor is 3.6 ms RTT for the wet segment, but real-world latency is higher.
- Redundancy may be provided by other cables landing at Kawinda Nae, such as Indonesia Tengah Cable Systems and Link 3 Phase-1.