Darwin digital hub on the cards as new submarine cable launched

23 July 2023

Connectivity in Northern Australia will be faster, and more reliable and resilient following the launch of Darwin’s first ever direct connection to the global network of high-capacity subsea telecommunications cables.

Vocus’ Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable (DJSC) system is a major leap forward in Australia's global connectivity, bridging the digital divide and unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation, and development in the Northern Territory.

The 7,700km DJCS cable system was completed following deployment of a final 1000km cable, which linked Vocus’ existing North-West Cable System, running from Port Hedland to Darwin, to its Perth-based Australia-Singapore Cable – resulting in the first international submarine cable connection into Darwin.

The cable was supported by a $7.9 million investment from the Northern Territory Government as part of its Terabit Territory strategy.

The project is a significant milestone towards Darwin becoming a major digital hub for the region. It will provide substantial direct and indirect benefits for northern Australia by supporting the connectivity needs of local businesses and communities with more reliable communications. This will benefit a wide range of stakeholders from remote Indigenous communities through to resource operators in the Pilbara by providing low-latency connectivity directly into Asia and enable locals to connect on a global scale.

The cable will also enhance the resilience and security of Australia's international cable network, ensuring uninterrupted and reliable connectivity, including during natural disaster and faults on other cables. This will provide businesses, governments, and individuals with greater confidence and assurance that their communication needs will be met – even in challenging circumstances.

Approximately 98 per cent of the world's data and voice traffic are carried by international submarine cables.

For more information visit www.vocus.com.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The new Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable system is fantastic news for Northern Australia. This project will help narrow the digital divide, support more reliable communications into the future, and establish Darwin as a leading connectivity hub in the region.

“Diversification of our international cable landing points is strategically important for Australia's telecommunications resilience. Removing our reliance on a single cable landing point minimises vulnerabilities and increases our ability to remain connected.

“The launch of the new cable today is a great example of the local and regional benefits that can be delivered through close collaboration between Commonwealth and Territory Governments, and industry partners like Vocus.

Quotes attributable Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Natasha Fyles MLA

“All digital highways lead into or through Darwin and that will equal jobs of the future, while growing our digital industry.

“The Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore cable is a massive sign of confidence in the Top End. The exciting part of this is that it will diversify our economy and create long term skilled jobs.

“We are proud to have worked with Vocus, through a $7.9 million Local Jobs Fund grant, to boost our digital capabilities and deliver more opportunities for the Territory.

“The launch of this cable further cements Darwin as Northern Australia’s most advanced digital economy, and this will open the door to new opportunities for advanced manufacturing, data-centres and cloud-based computing services for Territorians and investors.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Ngaree Ah Kit:

“Launching the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable is very exciting – it will deliver 40 terabits per second of internet capacity between Australia and Asia and pave the way for new data centres in Darwin to put us on the map as a key digital hub.

"This cable provides a 1000km link between the existing Darwin - Port Headland cable and the Australia - Singapore Cable, directly linking Darwin into one of the most reliable and fastest connections into Asia.

“Driving digital investment in the Territory means jobs and opportunities for our future.”

Northern Territory Government