The NCP Consortium has commenced construction on the New Cross Pacific (NCP) cable network linking the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
The consortium – consisting of China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Chunghwa Telecom, KT, Microsoft, SoftBank Mobile and TE SubCom – expect the cable to launch in late 2017.
With a planned route spanning around 13,000km, the NCP cable is designed to connect Oregon in the USA with Chongming, Nanhui and Lingang in China, Busan in South Korea, Toucheng in Taiwan and Maruyama in Japan.
The 100G repeatered cable system will be designed to deliver up to 80 Tbps of capacity, with the potential to support future upgrades.
The NCP consortium commissioned the cable in October. At the time, the group said the cable will have an estimated cost of “several hundred million US dollars.”
In addition, the NCP will be designed to link up to other subsea cables in the region to maximize data throughput.
“NCP cable applies state-of-the-art technology that will bring more advanced solutions, flexible interfaces and cost--‐effective circuits to market,” China Telecom deputy managing director international Tan Yi Jun said.
“It is a very important part of China Telecom global network which will largely enhance China Telecom’s capability of providing high-quality and reliable communications and information solutions for the benefit of our global partners and customers.”