Mataram Kupang Cable System (MKCS)

Overview

The Mataram Kupang Cable System (MKCS) is a domestic submarine cable connecting multiple landing points across Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands region. With a total length of 1,318 kilometers, the cable enhances connectivity between islands in eastern Indonesia, linking Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, and Timor. Owned and operated by Telkom Indonesia, the state-owned telecommunications provider, the MKCS plays a critical role in supporting intra-island communications and bridging the digital divide in this geographically dispersed area. The system has been operational since 2011, providing reliable infrastructure for telecommunications and internet services within the archipelago.

Route and Landings

The MKCS connects seven landing points, all located within Indonesia. Starting in Pringgabaya on the island of Lombok, the cable extends eastward to Sumbawa Besar and Bima on Sumbawa Island. From there, it continues to Ende and Saraemee on Flores, Waingapu on Sumba, and finally Kupang on Timor. This route traverses the waters of the Lesser Sunda Islands, a region characterized by its rugged terrain, volcanic activity, and scattered island geography. The cable's design reflects the need to link these islands, where terrestrial infrastructure is often impractical due to the area's challenging topography and the distances between islands.

Each landing point serves as a critical node for local and regional connectivity. For example, Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, acts as a gateway for communications in the easternmost part of the cable's reach. Similarly, landings in smaller towns like Bima and Waingapu provide vital links to communities that might otherwise face significant barriers to digital access. The MKCS route underscores the importance of submarine cables in connecting remote and underserved regions within Indonesia’s vast archipelago.

Ownership and History

The Mataram Kupang Cable System is wholly owned and operated by Telkom Indonesia, the country's leading state-owned telecommunications company. Telkom Indonesia has a long history of developing and managing telecommunications infrastructure across the archipelago, including both terrestrial and submarine networks. The MKCS is part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance connectivity in Indonesia, particularly in regions where physical geography poses challenges to traditional infrastructure development.

The MKCS was declared ready for service in 2011, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia's efforts to improve digital connectivity in its eastern regions. By focusing on inter-island communication within the Lesser Sunda Islands, the cable complements Telkom Indonesia's larger network, which includes international submarine cables and domestic systems serving other parts of the country. The MKCS exemplifies the company’s commitment to addressing the unique connectivity needs of Indonesia’s island communities.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Mataram Kupang Cable System spans 15 measured corridors, providing insights into its performance. The system achieves a best round-trip time (RTT) of 32 milliseconds, with an average RTT of 218 milliseconds across all monitored segments. These measurements indicate a reliable level of performance for a domestic submarine cable operating in a region with challenging geographic and environmental conditions.

The cable's performance metrics are particularly significant given its role in connecting remote and underserved areas. While the average RTT reflects the inherent latency of submarine systems over such distances, the best RTT of 32 milliseconds demonstrates the system's capability for low-latency communication in optimal conditions. This level of performance supports a range of applications, from basic telecommunications to internet services, contributing to the social and economic development of the communities served by the MKCS.