NTT DATA, Sumitomo Corporation, and JA Mitsui Leasing have established a new joint venture, Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd. (I-AM NW), to construct and operate a large-scale submarine cable system connecting Japan with key markets across Asia. The project, known as the Intra-Asia Marine Cable (I-AM Cable), carries a total project cost of approximately $1 billion and is scheduled to enter service in early fiscal year 2029.
The I-AM Cable will originate in Japan with landing points in Chiba, Mie, and Fukuoka, extending south to Malaysia and Singapore, with additional connectivity planned to South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The route design prioritizes geographic diversity and resilience against earthquakes and other natural disasters, while reinforcing Japan’s position as a strategic data hub linking Asia-Pacific traffic with global networks. Fukuoka is positioned as a future international telecommunications hub aligned with new regional data center developments.
From a technical standpoint, the system will deploy Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) with up to 16 fiber pairs (32 cores) per cable, delivering an initial total design capacity of approximately 320 Tbps. Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) functionality will allow operators to remotely and dynamically adjust bandwidth by route, enabling flexible responses to shifting traffic patterns from cloud providers, AI platforms, and telecom operators. I-AM NW will manage the full lifecycle of the system, from planning and construction to sales of international communication circuits.
• Total project cost of approximately $1 billion
• New joint venture formed by NTT DATA, Sumitomo Corporation, and JA Mitsui Leasing
• Subsea cable linking Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, with extensions to Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan
• Approximately 8,100 km (≈5,030 miles) total cable length
• Up to 16 fiber pairs using SDM technology
• Initial total design capacity of about 320 Tbps
• Planned service launch in early fiscal year 2029
“The launch of I-AM NW marks a significant step in strengthening Asia’s digital infrastructure,” said Yoshio Sato, CEO of I-AM NW. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.”
🌐 Analysis
Rising AI workloads and cloud traffic are driving renewed investment in high-capacity intra-Asia subsea routes, even as data center construction delays and permitting constraints create pressure to maximize existing infrastructure efficiency. Large-scale, billion-dollar cable systems with high fiber counts and flexible optical architectures are increasingly viewed as long-term assets that help operators manage growth, resilience, and insurance risk in a region prone to seismic events.
