Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap: A regional submarine cable in Indonesia
The Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap submarine cable connects
Tanjung Pandan on the island of Belitung to
Sungai Kakap in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Spanning 348 kilometers, the cable is owned by Moratelindo, a major Indonesian telecommunications provider. It is listed as in service, with its ready-for-service (RFS) date recorded in the GeoCables database as 2019. However, public sources do not disclose details about its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, or specific technology.
What stands out about this cable is its role in connecting two important regions within Indonesia, facilitating improved communication and data transfer across the archipelago. Another point of interest is the coexistence of other cables at its landing points:
JAKABARE at Sungai Kakap and
JaSuKa at Tanjung Pandan, which provide redundancy options in case of service interruptions.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap |
| Length | 348 km |
| Ready-for-service (RFS) date | 2019 (GeoCables database) |
| Owner | Moratelindo |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Sungai Kakap (Indonesia); Tanjung Pandan (Indonesia) |
| Other cables at Sungai Kakap | JAKABARE |
| Other cables at Tanjung Pandan | JaSuKa |
| Computed light propagation latency (one-way) | 1.7 ms |
| Theoretical RTT floor (wet segment only) | 3.4 ms |
| Live measurements | None available |
Route
The cable connects two locations within Indonesia: Sungai Kakap, situated in West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, and Tanjung Pandan, located on Belitung Island. Both regions are part of the Indonesian archipelago, known for its challenging geography that necessitates submarine cables to ensure reliable communication. The corridor is relatively short at 348 kilometers, indicating a regional focus rather than intercontinental connectivity.
Why it was built and what it carries
The Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap cable was likely built to enhance connectivity within Indonesia, addressing local demand for faster and more reliable internet and data services. By linking Belitung and West Kalimantan, the cable facilitates inter-island communication, which is essential for businesses, government operations, and residents in these areas. However, public sources do not provide detailed information about the types of traffic it carries or its specific capacity.
History: what can be established
The GeoCables database records the cable's ready-for-service year as 2019, and it is currently listed as in service. Industry sources do not appear to dispute this date, nor is there evidence of earlier or later operational timelines. Without further documentation from Moratelindo or other stakeholders, additional details about its development or deployment timeline remain unknown.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available data does not disclose the cable's design capacity, the number of fiber pairs, or the specific technology used in its construction. These omissions are common for regional cables, especially those owned by private operators like Moratelindo, who may choose not to publish such details. Attributing any specific values without operator documentation would be speculative.
Latency: the physics
The computed latency for light propagation over the cable's 348-kilometer length is approximately 1.7 milliseconds one-way, with a theoretical round-trip time (RTT) floor of 3.4 milliseconds for the wet segment. This calculation assumes light speed in fiber-optic cables ranges from 200,000 to 204,000 kilometers per second. However, real-world latency is higher due to additional factors such as land-based connections, terminal equipment delays, and routing inefficiencies. No live measurements are currently available for this cable to validate its actual performance.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
Redundancy for the Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap cable is supported by the presence of other cables at its landing points. At Sungai Kakap, the JAKABARE cable offers an alternative route, while Tanjung Pandan is connected to the JaSuKa cable. In the event of a failure, traffic can potentially be rerouted through these systems, minimizing disruptions. Repairs to submarine cables typically involve specialized vessels and equipment, a process that can be time-consuming depending on the nature and location of the fault.
Bottom line
- The Tanjung Pandan-Sungai Kakap cable spans 348 kilometers and connects Belitung Island to West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Owned by Moratelindo, it was recorded as ready-for-service in 2019 according to GeoCables data.
- Details about its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- Computed latency for the wet segment is approximately 1.7 ms one-way, with a theoretical RTT floor of 3.4 ms.
- Redundancy options exist via the JAKABARE and JaSuKa cables at its landing points.