International cable strengthening Sarawak digital gateway

KUCHING, Oct 5: The international cable connecting Hong Kong and Singapore with the branch to Kuching is seen as potentially strengthening Sarawak's position as a new digital gateway in the Asian region.

The more than 3,000-kilometre fibre optic network also has branches to the Philippines and Thailand, connecting Kuching with some of the region's major digital hubs.

The Chief Executive Officer of Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Dennis Anthony Uy, said that the infrastructure development is closely linked to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as the expansion of data centers worldwide.

"This cable connects Hong Kong to Singapore, with a distance of about 3,000 kilometers. It also has branches in the Philippines and Thailand, as well as a branch unit in Kuching.

"This project is closely linked to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data center expansion, not only here but around the world", he said.

He said this after a visit of honour by the Philippine delegation headed by the Secretary of Energy, Hon. Sharon S. Garin, to the Prime Minister of Sarawak, His Highness Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at the inaugural meeting of the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS26) at Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK), here today.

According to Dennis, the development of AI requires large computing capacities in addition to high-powered connectivity networks to ensure that those capacities can be used effectively.

He said the initiative was also launched by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) to create a high-capacity gateway connecting Sarawak with Singapore.

He said Singapore was an important hub connecting Sarawak with other digital networks around the world, while connections from Hong Kong opened up access to global networks.

"This project was initiated by SDEC and we have signed an agreement.

"They're going to invest in one fiber optic from Hong Kong to Singapore, with a branch to Kuching", he said.

According to him, the facility will expand Sarawak's digital connectivity with some major Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand.

The development also supports the increasing demand for high-capacity digital infrastructure, particularly for the data centre sector, cloud computing and AI technologies.

With Kuching becoming part of the network route, Sarawak has the potential to strengthen its digital ecosystem as well as enhance connectivity with regional and global digital networks.