Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic digital hubs in the world, with undersea cables carrying most international data. The Centre works with governments in the region to strengthen cable protection through technical assistance, research and analysis, and dialogue and knowledge sharing, ensuring connectivity underpins sustainable growth and resilience.

News and Resources

2025-09-29

Study tour strengthens Australia–Indonesia cooperation on undersea cable resilience – Read more

The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) hosted a study tour for representatives from Indonesia’s National Taskforce for Submarine Cable and Pipeline Deployment, strengthening cooperation on undersea cable protection and management between the two countries.Held in September 2025, the visit provided an opportunity to share knowledge and approaches on undersea cable resilience, and to see how Australia integrates policy, regulation and industry expertise to support secure and reliable connectivity. The engagement supports Indonesia’s objectives to enhance cable protection and streamline permitting processes through the adoption of international best practice.Through the CCRC Australia is working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the resilience of this vital infrastructure.The delegation met with Australian government and industry representatives, including Southern Cross Cable, Telstra and Equinix, to learn from Australia’s experience in cable management and infrastructure coordination. Site visits included the Alexandria Cable Landing Station and the Equinix Data Centre in Sydney.The CCRC extends its thanks to Southern Cross, Telstra and Equinix for their valuable support in hosting the delegation and sharing insights during the visit.

Participants from Indo-Pacific governments, industry and technical organisations standing together beside a Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre banner during the regional cable futures workshops.

2025-10-29

Workshops explore the futures of undersea cables across the Indo-Pacific – Read more

Governments, industry leaders and technical experts from across the Indo-Pacific came together through a series of regional workshops in Singapore, New Delhi and Melbourne to explore how undersea cable networks could evolve to meet the region’s future connectivity needs.Using scenario-based planning, participants examined how social, environmental and economic factors might shape the region’s digital infrastructure by 2045, and what steps were needed to strengthen resilience.The workshops formed part of the Futures of Undersea Cables initiative, led by the Tech Policy Design Institute. The project was delivered in collaboration with the ANU National Security College Futures Hub and the Tech for Good Institute and supported by the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC). The project aimed to encourage thinking beyond current issues and consider how undersea cable requirements may change over the coming decades, as a means to identify opportunities for governments and industry to work together to ensure future connectivity and protection.Across the three workshops, participants explored diverse perspectives on the challenges of growing data demand, investment needs, and the potential role of emerging technologies such as satellite networks. The sessions also examined best-practice approaches in technical assistance, research and policy analysis, and knowledge sharing—laying the groundwork for stronger cable protection frameworks and improved regional cooperation.The findings from the workshops have resulted in the report, Beneath the Surface: Critical Connections and Regional Futures, which presents a multimedia Cables Futures Toolkit to empower stakeholders and enable engaging and constructive dialogue across the region recommendations for strengthening cable resilience across the Indo-Pacific.

2025-03-01

Building a stronger, safer digital future: ASEAN and partners unite on cable resilience – Read more

The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) joined Governments and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia to participate in an ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) seminar on submarine cables in Jakarta in February 2025 to strengthen cooperation on undersea cable resilience, recognising its vital role in the region’s digital future through.Funded through the Australia for ASEAN Futures (Aus4ASEAN Futures) initiative, the event brought together government, industry and technical experts to highlight shared challenges facing cable networks, from natural hazards and accidental damage to security risks; and explore how regional collaboration can improve the security, maintenance and management of the submarine cables that keep the world connected.Seminar speakers emphasised the need for closer cooperation, coordination and shared expertise to keep data flowing even when cables are disrupted. For the CCRC, the seminar was an opportunity to share Australia’s experience in building secure and reliable digital infrastructure, to highlight the importance of regional partnerships in protecting shared assets beneath the sea, and to support the Cable Centre’s efforts in South East Asia to promote best practice in the regulation and management of undersea cable networks.In the lead up to the event, the CCRC worked closely with colleagues from Singapore’s InfoComm Media Development Authority, as chair of ASEAN’s Working Group on Submarine Cables, to shape an agenda to directly inform their work to update ASEAN’s 2019 Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables - an important initiative that demonstrates the region’s commitment to safeguarding the backbone of global connectivity.

Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre – explainer video – Read more

Undersea cables are the backbone of internet connectivity, carrying more than 95 per cent of international data traffic. It’s critical that the cable network across the Indo-Pacific is protected, so all countries can be the beneficiaries of reliable connectivity and the growth of the digital economy. Learn how the Centre is supporting a safer, more connected future for the region.

Government officials and the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre team standing together beside CCRC banners during the launch of the Centre.

2024-07-29

Launch of the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre – Read more

Today, Australia is launching a new Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, to help ensure undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific are resilient and all countries can benefit from reliable connectivity and the growth of the digital economy.This work is integral to the prosperity and security of our region. From emails to e-commerce, accessing news, social media and streaming content, we rely on a vast network of undersea cables, which carry over 95 per cent of international data traffic.Australia will invest more than $18 million over the next four years in the Centre, which will draw on our extensive undersea telecommunications cables expertise and experience to:Provide technical assistance and training across the Indo-Pacific.Commission research and analysis to support Indo-Pacific governments with policy development, regulations and decision-making regarding undersea cables.Share information and host dialogues to strengthen engagement between Indo-Pacific governments and industry.The Centre is an important Australian contribution to the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, which is an important demonstration of the Quad's delivery in the region, responding to the Indo-Pacific's most pressing challenges.The Centre is a whole of Australian Government initiative, embedded within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.