SX Tasman Express (SX-TX)

Overview

SX Tasman Express (SX-TX) is a submarine cable system designed to connect Australia and New Zealand across the Tasman Sea. With a total length of 2,276 kilometers, it is a relatively short yet focused trans-Tasman link. The system is scheduled to be ready for service in 2028 and is owned by Southern Cross Cable Network, a prominent operator in submarine telecommunications. SX-TX is expected to enhance connectivity between the two countries, providing a direct and efficient route for data transmission across the Tasman Sea.

As part of the broader infrastructure supporting digital communication between Australia and New Zealand, SX-TX will complement existing systems in the region. Its design prioritizes a straightforward, point-to-point connection between the two nations, distinguishing it from longer, multi-destination cables. The system's introduction is anticipated to strengthen the trans-Tasman corridor, which is vital for economic, cultural, and technological exchanges between the two countries.

Route and Landings

The SX Tasman Express cable has two landing points: Clovelly in New South Wales, Australia, and Whenuapai in New Zealand. Clovelly, located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is a strategic landing site due to its proximity to Australia's major population and business centers. On the New Zealand side, Whenuapai is situated near Auckland, the country's largest city and a key hub for commerce and technology. These landing points ensure that the cable directly connects two of the most economically significant regions in their respective countries.

The route of SX-TX traverses the Tasman Sea, a body of water that separates Australia and New Zealand by approximately 2,000 kilometers at its narrowest point. The Tasman Sea is known for its challenging conditions, including strong currents and variable weather, which make the deployment and maintenance of submarine cables a complex engineering task. By opting for a direct path between Clovelly and Whenuapai, the SX-TX system minimizes the distance and potential latency, offering an optimized link for data transmission between the two nations.

Ownership and History

SX Tasman Express is owned by Southern Cross Cable Network, a company with a long history in the submarine cable industry. Southern Cross Cable Network has been a key player in the trans-Tasman and trans-Pacific telecommunications space, operating systems such as the original Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN), which has connected Australia, New Zealand, and the United States since 2000. More recently, the company launched Southern Cross NEXT, an advanced system that entered service in 2022 and provides connectivity across the Pacific region.

While SX-TX is a new addition to Southern Cross Cable Network's portfolio, its development reflects the company's commitment to strengthening connectivity in the Australia-New Zealand corridor. The cable is designed to complement existing systems by offering a dedicated, high-capacity link between the two countries. Its planned launch in 2028 will mark another milestone in the evolution of trans-Tasman telecommunications infrastructure.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of SX Tasman Express includes data from 57 measured corridors, providing insights into the cable's performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 52 milliseconds, while the average RTT is 81 milliseconds. These measurements highlight the efficiency of the cable's direct route, which minimizes latency compared to longer, multi-destination systems in the region.

The low latency achieved by SX-TX is particularly significant for applications requiring real-time communication, such as financial transactions, video conferencing, and online gaming. By providing a fast and reliable connection between Clovelly and Whenuapai, the cable supports the growing demand for high-speed data transmission in both Australia and New Zealand. Our probes continue to monitor the system's performance, ensuring that it meets the expectations of users in the region.