Sumatera Bangka Cable System (SBCS): A Short Submarine Link in Indonesia
The Sumatera Bangka Cable System (SBCS) is a submarine telecommunications cable connecting
Muntok on Bangka Island to
Palembang on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. At just 57 kilometers in length, it is relatively short compared to many other submarine cables, serving as a critical link between these two Indonesian regions. Owned by Telkom Indonesia, SBCS is listed as in service, with its ready-for-service (RFS) date recorded in the GeoCables database as 2014.
What makes SBCS interesting is its localized focus and the lack of publicly disclosed information about its technical specifications, such as design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and technology. This opacity is not unusual for smaller regional cables, but it does limit the ability to fully assess its role in the broader telecommunications network. Additionally, the cable’s landing point at Muntok is shared with other systems, such as the
Biznet Nusantara Cable System-1 (BNCS-1) and
PASULI, suggesting potential redundancy or complementary connectivity in the area.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Sumatera Bangka Cable System (SBCS) |
| Length | 57 km |
| Ready-for-service (RFS) year | 2014 (GeoCables database value) |
| Owner | Telkom Indonesia |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Muntok (Indonesia), Palembang (Indonesia) |
| Other cables at Muntok | Biznet Nusantara Cable System-1 (BNCS-1), PASULI |
| Computed latency (one-way) | ≈ 0.3 ms |
| Theoretical RTT floor (wet segment) | ≈ 0.6 ms |
| Live measurements | None |
🗺 Show Sumatera Bangka Cable System (SBCS) on the interactive cable map
Route
The SBCS connects Muntok on Bangka Island to Palembang in South Sumatra Province. Both regions are part of Indonesia, with Palembang serving as a significant urban and economic center. The short 57-kilometer route traverses the Bangka Strait, a narrow body of water separating the two islands. This corridor is geographically straightforward compared to longer and more complex submarine cable routes that often span international waters.
Why it was built and what it carries
The SBCS was likely built to enhance connectivity between Bangka Island and Sumatra, facilitating both regional telecommunications and broader integration into Indonesia’s national network. Palembang is an important hub for commerce and government, while Muntok serves as a gateway for Bangka Island. The cable supports data, voice, and potentially internet traffic, though its exact design capacity and usage are not publicly disclosed.
Given its ownership by Telkom Indonesia, SBCS may play a role in the company’s strategy to improve domestic connectivity and support growing demand for broadband services. However, without detailed technical or operational data, its precise contribution to the network cannot be fully assessed.
History: what can be established
The GeoCables database records SBCS as having entered service in 2014. No conflicting dates have been identified in publicly available industry sources, so this year is considered reliable. While the cable’s construction and deployment details are not disclosed, it is reasonable to assume that standard industry practices were followed, including seabed surveys, cable laying, and burial where necessary to protect the infrastructure.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not confirm the design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or specific technology used in SBCS. This lack of transparency is common for smaller regional cables, especially those serving domestic markets rather than international routes. Without operator documentation, attributing any specific technical characteristics would be speculative.
Latency: the physics
The computed theoretical latency for SBCS is approximately 0.3 milliseconds one-way and 0.6 milliseconds round-trip (RTT) over the wet segment. These calculations assume light propagation speeds of 200,000 to 204,000 kilometers per second in optical fiber. Real-world latency measurements would be higher due to additional factors, including signal processing delays at terminal equipment, routing inefficiencies, and the land-based network segments at either end. No live latency measurements are currently available for SBCS.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
If SBCS were to suffer a fault, redundancy might be provided by other cables landing at Muntok, such as the Biznet Nusantara Cable System-1 (BNCS-1) and PASULI. However, the extent to which these systems can compensate for a failure in SBCS depends on their capacity, configuration, and the specific traffic demands in the region. Repairs to submarine cables typically involve specialized vessels and can be delayed by weather or logistical challenges, although the short length of SBCS may simplify repair operations compared to longer cables.
Bottom line
- SBCS is a 57-kilometer submarine cable connecting Muntok and Palembang in Indonesia.
- Owned by Telkom Indonesia, it has been in service since 2014 according to GeoCables records.
- Technical specifications such as design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- Theoretical latency over the wet segment is approximately 0.6 milliseconds RTT, though real-world latency is higher.
- Muntok’s landing point hosts other cables, potentially offering redundancy in case of outages.