Vocus has successfully launched its $100 million Darwin cable, establishing a connection between the North West Cable System (NWCS) and the Australia Singapore Cable (ASC). This milestone completes the Darwin Jakarta Singapore Cable (DJSC) system, representing a total investment of $500 million by Vocus.
The Darwin cable’s activation enables a terrestrial connection via Vocus’ terabit intercapital fibre from Darwin to Adelaide and Brisbane. Consequently, it provides connectivity to all major Australian capital cities and enhances the company’s Singapore cable’s reach.
The strategic significance of the cable lies in diversifying international cable landing points, as highlighted by Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland. By reducing reliance on a single landing point, the vulnerability of communication networks is minimized, ensuring greater resilience and improved connectivity.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles emphasized that the DJSC’s completion positions Darwin as a prominent data center hub for the Asia Pacific region. As digital highways converge in and pass through Darwin, it creates opportunities for the future workforce and drives growth in the digital industry.
Darwin is already witnessing data center investments, including NEXTDC’s plans for a hyperscale facility in the city. NEXTDC’s CEO, Craig Scroggie, expressed the company’s commitment to developing a benchmark data center in Darwin, promising 100 percent uptime, fast, secure, and flexible access to Australia’s highly-connected cloud ecosystem.
The cable’s landing point at Mindil Beach signifies a major step forward in boosting regional connectivity and strengthening Australia’s position in the Asia Pacific’s digital landscape.
