Link 3 Phase-1: A regional submarine cable within Indonesia
Link 3 Phase-1 is a submarine telecommunications cable system connecting two landing points in Indonesia:
Kawinda Nae and
Senggigi. Spanning approximately 275 km, it is part of a broader family of cable systems owned by XLSmart, including other "Link" systems such as
Link 1 Phase-1 and
Link 3 Phase-2. The cable has been listed as in service since 2003, although no public information is available about its design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or specific technology.
What stands out about Link 3 Phase-1 is the lack of publicly disclosed technical details, which makes it challenging to assess its full capabilities. Additionally, its role within the broader XLSmart network and its interactions with other cables at its landing points suggest it is part of a larger strategy to enhance regional connectivity in Indonesia. However, without live latency measurements or operator documentation, certain aspects of its performance and redundancy remain speculative.
Quick facts
| System Name |
Link 3 Phase-1 |
| Length |
275 km |
| Ready-for-Service Year |
2003 (GeoCables database) |
| Owner |
XLSmart |
| Status |
In service |
| Design Capacity |
Not disclosed |
| Fiber Pairs |
Not disclosed |
| Supplier |
Not disclosed |
| Technology |
Not disclosed |
| Landing Points |
Kawinda Nae (Indonesia), Senggigi (Indonesia) |
🗺 Show Link 3 Phase-1 on the interactive cable map
Route
Link 3 Phase-1 connects Kawinda Nae, located on the island of Sumba, and Senggigi, situated on Lombok. Both locations are part of the Indonesian archipelago, which consists of thousands of islands. The cable's route lies entirely within Indonesia's territorial waters, making it a domestic system. Kawinda Nae hosts other cables, including
Indonesia Tengah Cable Systems and Link 1 Phase-1, while Senggigi is a landing point for
BALOK and
Link 1 Phase-2. This overlap suggests that these two locations are important hubs for regional connectivity.
Why it was built and what it carries
The primary purpose of Link 3 Phase-1 is likely to improve telecommunications infrastructure between Sumba and Lombok, supporting local internet traffic and data transmission. As part of the XLSmart family of cables, it may also contribute to a larger network strategy for redundancy and capacity expansion. However, without disclosed design capacity or fiber pair data, it is difficult to determine its specific role in terms of bandwidth contribution.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that Link 3 Phase-1 became ready for service in 2003. If industry sources suggest a different year, the discrepancy could arise from delays in deployment or differences in definitions of "ready-for-service" (e.g., operational readiness vs. commercial launch). As of now, no conflicting dates have been surfaced, and the cable remains listed as in service.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available data does not disclose the design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or technology used in Link 3 Phase-1. Without operator documentation, attributing specific capabilities to the cable would be speculative. The lack of transparency is not uncommon for regional systems, particularly those serving domestic markets, where commercial sensitivity may limit public disclosures.
Latency: the physics
Theoretical calculations indicate that light propagation over the 275 km wet segment of Link 3 Phase-1 would result in a one-way latency of approximately 1.3 ms. For round-trip time (RTT), the theoretical floor is roughly 2.7 ms. However, real-world latency would be higher due to factors such as land-based tail circuits, terminal equipment, and routing inefficiencies. No live measurements are currently available for this cable, and any real-world RTT would need to account for the broader network path beyond the wet segment.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
Redundancy for Link 3 Phase-1 is likely provided by other cables landing at Kawinda Nae and Senggigi, such as Indonesia Tengah Cable Systems, Link 1 Phase-1, BALOK, and Link 1 Phase-2. In the event of a failure, traffic could be rerouted through these systems, assuming they have sufficient capacity and interconnection agreements. Repairing submarine cables typically involves deploying specialized cable ships to locate, retrieve, and restore the damaged section. The repair timeline depends on factors such as weather, cable burial depth, and the availability of ships.
Bottom line
- Link 3 Phase-1 is a 275 km submarine cable connecting Kawinda Nae and Senggigi in Indonesia.
- Owned by XLSmart, it has been listed as in service since 2003.
- Key technical details, including design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology, are not publicly disclosed.
- Its latency floor is approximately 2.7 ms RTT over the wet segment, but real-world latency would be higher.
- Redundancy is likely provided by other cables landing at the same points.