Taiwan Strait Express-1 (TSE-1)

Overview

The Taiwan Strait Express-1 (TSE-1) is a submarine fiber-optic cable system spanning 260 kilometers across the Taiwan Strait. It directly connects Fuzhou on the southeastern coast of China to Tanshui in northern Taiwan. TSE-1 was completed and ready for service in 2013, providing a critical communication link between the two regions. The cable is designed to enhance regional connectivity, improve data transmission reliability, and support the growing demand for internet and telecommunication services in East Asia. Its strategic location makes it a vital component of the regional telecommunications infrastructure.

By offering a direct route across the Taiwan Strait, TSE-1 reduces latency and enhances the efficiency of digital communication between China and Taiwan. This cable plays an essential role in supporting economic, cultural, and social interactions across the strait, serving as a backbone for internet traffic and other digital services in the region.

Route and Landings

TSE-1 begins its journey in Fuzhou, the capital of China’s Fujian Province. Fuzhou is a major port city with a long history of maritime trade and is strategically located on the western shore of the Taiwan Strait. The city serves as a key hub for commerce and telecommunications in southeastern China, making it an ideal landing point for the cable.

On the other side of the strait, the cable lands in Tanshui (also spelled Tamsui), a coastal district in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Tanshui is situated near the mouth of the Tamsui River and has historically been a gateway for international trade. Its proximity to Taipei, Taiwan’s capital and economic center, further enhances its importance as a landing site. The 260-kilometer route of TSE-1 crosses the Taiwan Strait, a busy waterway that separates the island of Taiwan from mainland China. This direct connection eliminates the need for longer, more circuitous routes, improving the efficiency of data transmission between the two regions.

Ownership and History

The Taiwan Strait Express-1 is owned and operated by a consortium of major telecommunications companies from both China and Taiwan. The consortium includes China Mobile and China Unicom, two of the largest telecom operators in China, as well as Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone (FET), Taiwan International Gateway Corporation, and Taiwan Mobile, which are leading providers in Taiwan. This collaboration reflects the shared interest in establishing a robust and reliable communication link across the Taiwan Strait.

TSE-1 was officially ready for service in 2013, marking a significant milestone in regional telecommunications. The cable was designed to meet the increasing demand for high-speed internet and data services in East Asia. By providing a direct fiber-optic link between China and Taiwan, it has strengthened the digital infrastructure of both regions. The cable’s construction and operation underscore the importance of international cooperation in the development of critical telecommunications infrastructure.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Taiwan Strait Express-1 (TSE-1) provides valuable insights into its performance. The cable is actively monitored across 67 measured corridors, ensuring consistent data on its operational status. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded by our probes is 39 milliseconds, while the average RTT is 65 milliseconds. These metrics indicate a relatively low latency for a regional submarine cable, highlighting its efficiency in supporting high-speed data transmission.

The measured performance of TSE-1 underscores its role as a reliable communication link between China and Taiwan. The low latency and stable connectivity provided by the cable are essential for a wide range of applications, including internet browsing, video streaming, and business communications. By maintaining high performance, TSE-1 contributes to the overall resilience and capacity of the regional telecommunications network.