Press Releases 2025
SoftBank Corp. Initiates Construction of Next-generation Submarine Cable Connecting Asia and the United States
March 24, 2025
SoftBank Corp.
SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), a member of E2A Consortium, announced it agreed to initiate construction of a new submarine cable system, “E2A,” that will connect Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. The consortium selected Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build a state-of-the-art transpacific fiber optic network that spans approximately 12,500km and is designed to significantly enhance digital connectivity between Asia and North America.
With the surge in demand driven by cloud computing, data processing and next-generation mobile networks, the need for ultra-high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure has never been greater. The E2A represents a major step forward in global communications, delivering unprecedented performance, scalability, and reliability, while integrating sustainability-driven design principles.
Crossing the Pacific Ocean, the E2A submarine cable system will link major digital hubs in Asia and North America, with landings in Maruyama (Chiba, Japan), Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea) and Morro Bay (California, USA).
The E2A submarine cable system will provide a robust backbone for AI applications, data centers, and cloud services, ensuring high-speed connectivity across the Pacific as well as intra-Asia.
The E2A cable will integrate the latest advancements in submarine network technology, featuring:
- 12 fiber pairs (FP) delivering capacity of more than 192Tbps
- Open Cable System architecture, enabling seamless scalability and multi-operator connectivity
- 18kV power feeding technology, optimizing efficiency across all subsea infrastructure
- Optimized latency to support next-generation computing applications and digital services
With an expected Ready for Service (RFS) date in the second half of 2028, the E2A submarine cable system is set to significantly expand digital capabilities across the Pacific.
SoftBank's submarine cable strategy
As the Japan landing station for E2A, SoftBank will provide its “SoftBank Maruyama Landing Station” located in Minamiboso-City, Chiba Prefecture. The SoftBank Maruyama Landing Station serves as a landing point for numerous submarine cables, including the trans-Pacific optical submarine cable “JUPITER,” which began operations in August 2020, and the “ADC,” which commenced operations in December 2024. In December 2019, a new building equipped with state-of-the-art security measures and robust disaster prevention measures was constructed. This new building now serves a crucial role as an international communications hub.
Teruyuki Oya, Vice President, Head of the Mobile & Network Division, Technology Unit, at SoftBank Corp., said: “We're very pleased to have initiated the project for a new submarine cable connecting East Asia and the United States. As we enter an era where AI is being fully implemented, the importance of international submarine cables connecting not only Japan and the United States but also major parts of Asia as arteries of information is increasing. SoftBank will advance the development of global, multifaceted, and stable platforms by building infrastructure for the AI era.”
SoftBank will continue to provide consistent and reliable services to meet global mobile network demand. Additionally, by serving as a key hub for international submarine cables in Japan, SoftBank will further contribute to the telecommunications industry.
About E2A Consortium
The Consortium comprises Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (“CHT”), SK Broadband Co. Ltd. (“SKB”), SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), and Verizon Business Global LLC (“Verizon”).
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