On July 22, Vocus switched on the first international fibre optic cable into Darwin, cementing Australia’s North as a new entry point for international data and establishing Darwin as a key digital hub for the Asia Pacific.
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The new $100 million, 1,000km cable links Vocus’ existing North-West Cable System which runs from Darwin to Port Hedland with Vocus’ Australia Singapore Cable (ASC) from Perth to Singapore.
Combined, these cables form the DJSC system, a $500 million total investment stretching 7,700 kilometres between Darwin and Singapore – enabling low-latency connectivity between Australia’s North and Asia.
The activation of the DJSC establishes Darwin and Port Hedland the fourth and fifth Australian entry points for international connectivity, after Sydney, Perth, and Maroochydore.
The DJSC is a key part of Vocus’ $1 billion investment strategy, which also includes ‘Project Horizon’, a new 2,000km inland fibre route from Perth to Port Hedland.
Project Horizon will connect with the DJSC in Port Hedland, establishing a redundant fibre path between Perth and Singapore through the Pilbara while bringing competitive fibre to Australia’s primary resources region for the first time.
Commonwealth Minister for Communications the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP said the switch-on of the cable marked an important milestone in Australia’s connectivity with the world.
“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,†she said.
"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.â€
Major data centre operator NEXTDC has announced plans to construct a flagship hyperscale data centre in Darwin connected by the cable, which will offer an alternative to offshore data centres for companies seeking a location close to Asia within a geopolitically stable region. ■