Press Releases 2025

SoftBank Corp. and Partners
Agree to Build "Candle" Submarine Cable System
Connecting Japan and Singapore

System will adopt 24 fiber pairs to enable large-capacity communications

September 22, 2025
SoftBank Corp.

SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank") today announced that it is collaborating with Meta, IPS Inc., TM Technology Services Sdn. Bhd., and PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk to develop a new international submarine cable system, "Candle", that will connect Japan and Singapore. NEC Corporation has been contracted as the system supplier.

Candle submarine cable system route
Candle submarine cable system route

Candle is an approximately 8,000 km submarine cable system connecting Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, scheduled to begin operations in 2028. The construction of the Candle submarine cable system will contribute to infrastructure expansion and secure redundant routes to meet the increasing demand for data communications driven by 5G and generative AI.

The Candle submarine cable system will adopt a 24 fiber pair*1 configuration. While most existing submarine cable systems typically have 16 to 20 fiber pairs, the use of 24 fiber pairs will enable the construction of higher-capacity, lower-latency communications infrastructure to meet the growing demand for connectivity across Asia.

Chairperson of the Candle Management Committee, Don Pang (Meta), said: "Candle represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the region's digital infrastructure. As the need for robust, high-speed connectivity grows, Candle will deliver greater network diversity and resilience along this essential corridor, leveraging state-of-the-art technology. This milestone reflects the deep collaboration among our partners and underscores our shared commitment to advancing digital inclusion and economic opportunity for over half a billion people in the Asia-Pacific region."

Signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

SoftBank's submarine cable strategy

As the designated landing party in Japan, SoftBank will provide its "SoftBank Maruyama Landing Station" in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture. SoftBank is also advancing initiatives to build new cable landing stations in Hokkaido (Tomakomai City) and Kyushu (Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture) to ensure geographic diversity and reinforce Japan's disaster resilience in international communications*2.SoftBank has been an active participant in multiple global cable projects, including "JUPTER*3", "ADC*4", and the under-construction "E2A*5" . These investments are part of SoftBank's broader strategy to expand and diversify international connectivity, improve network resilience, and meet the growing needs of AI-driven applications, cloud services, and digital transformation in Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Kimimasa Kudo, Vice President and Head of the Global Business Division, Enterprise Unit, SoftBank Corp., said:
"With the rapid advancement of generative AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for international telecommunications is expected to continue accelerating. Candle adopts a 24 fiber pair architecture, making it one of the core foundations of next-generation social infrastructure that SoftBank is promoting. By integrating with other submarine cables such as JUPITER, ADC, and E2A, we will further enhance the diversity and redundancy of global communications networks originating from Japan, and strengthen Japan's role as a digital gateway for Asia."

[Notes]
  1. *1
    Each fiber pair consists of two optical fibers — one for transmitting and one for receiving. A 24 fiber pair system therefore contains a total of 48 optical fibers.
  2. *2
    Refer to this press release (in Japanese)
  3. *3
    For more information, please see this press release dated October 30, 2017: "SoftBank Signs Agreements to Build and Operate New Trans-Pacific Submarine Cable System JUPITER"
  4. *4
    For more information, please see this press release dated December 19, 2024: "SoftBank Corp. Begins Operating New Asia Pacific Submarine Cable"
  5. *5
    For more information, please see this press release dated March 24, 2025: "SoftBank Corp. Initiates Construction of Next-generation Submarine Cable Connecting Asia and the United States"
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