Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN)

Overview

The Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN) is a major transpacific submarine cable system spanning a total length of 30,500 kilometers. Operational since 2000, it connects Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United States, forming a critical communications link between the South Pacific and the western coast of North America. The system is owned and managed by Southern Cross Cable Network, a company dedicated to providing high-capacity connectivity across the Pacific region. SCCN plays a significant role in supporting internet traffic, data exchange, and telecommunications for the nations it connects, enhancing digital infrastructure and fostering international communication.

Designed to meet the growing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity, the SCCN is a key component of the global network of undersea cables. Its extensive reach and strategic landing points enable robust interconnectivity between the Pacific nations, making it an essential asset for both regional and global communications.

Route and Landings

The Southern Cross Cable Network features nine landing points across four countries, strategically distributed to ensure optimal connectivity and redundancy. In Australia, the cable lands at Alexandria and Brookvale, both located in New South Wales. These sites serve as critical gateways for Australian data traffic to the Pacific region.

In Fiji, the cable makes landfall at Suva, the nation's capital and a key hub for telecommunications in the South Pacific. This landing point connects Fiji to the broader transpacific network, enhancing its role as a regional communications center.

New Zealand is served by two landing points: Takapuna and Whenuapai, both located on the North Island. These sites provide vital links for New Zealand's international connectivity, supporting its digital economy and global communications.

In the United States, the cable has four landing points: Hillsboro in Oregon and Morro Bay in California on the mainland, as well as Kahe Point and Spencer Beach in Hawaii. The inclusion of two Hawaiian landings ensures geographic diversity and strengthens the system's resilience, while the mainland connections provide direct access to major U.S. data centers and networks.

Ownership and History

The Southern Cross Cable Network is wholly owned and operated by the Southern Cross Cable Network company. Since its commissioning in 2000, the system has been a cornerstone of transpacific telecommunications, providing high-capacity bandwidth and reliable connectivity for over two decades. The cable was designed to address the growing demand for international data exchange, particularly between the South Pacific and North America.

Over the years, the SCCN has undergone upgrades to enhance its capacity and performance, ensuring it remains competitive in the evolving telecommunications landscape. Its ownership by a single dedicated operator has allowed for focused investment and management, maintaining its status as a vital link in the global submarine cable network.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Southern Cross Cable Network spans 223 measured corridors, providing detailed insights into its performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 0 milliseconds, while the average RTT across the system is 176 milliseconds. These figures reflect the cable's efficiency in handling data transmission over its extensive transpacific route.

The system's performance is consistent with the geographic distances it covers, which include vast stretches of ocean between Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United States. The dual Hawaiian landings at Kahe Point and Spencer Beach contribute to the cable's resilience and redundancy, ensuring stable connectivity even in the event of localized disruptions. The SCCN's measurements underscore its reliability as a critical infrastructure component for the Pacific region.