California Construction News staff writer
SoftBank, a member of the E2A Consortium, announced plans to begin construction on a new submarine cable system called “E2A” that will link Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States. The consortium has selected Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the state-of-the-art transpacific fiber optic network, which will stretch over 12,500 kilometers.
The E2A submarine cable system will connect major digital hubs in Asia and North America, with landing stations in Maruyama (Chiba, Japan), Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea), and Morro Bay (California, USA). It is designed to improve digital connectivity between these regions, especially as demand grows for high-speed connections supporting AI applications, data centers, and cloud services.
The cable system is expected to be ready for service in the second half of 2028. It will provide a vital link across the Pacific Ocean, supporting the growing need for robust, high-speed connectivity, and expanding digital capabilities between Asia and North America.
As the Japan landing station for the E2A, SoftBank will use its “SoftBank Maruyama Landing Station” in Chiba Prefecture, which is also a key hub for several other submarine cables, including the JUPITER and ADC cables. The facility, which was recently upgraded with advanced security and disaster prevention measures, serves as a critical point for international communications.
Teruyuki Oya, vice-president and head of Mobile and Network Technology Unit at SoftBank, emphasized the growing importance of international submarine cables, particularly as AI technologies are increasingly implemented. “We are pleased to initiate the project to build a new submarine cable that connects East Asia with the United States, enhancing information flow across key parts of Asia,” Oya said. “SoftBank is committed to developing infrastructure for the AI era to create a stable and global platform.”
The E2A cable system is expected to play a crucial role in advancing digital infrastructure across the Pacific, supporting the needs of emerging technologies and further integrating the global digital economy.
