Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic digital hubs in the world, with subsea 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

2026-08-13

Best Practice Toolkit: Subsea Telecommunications Cable Policy and Regulation in the Indo-Pacific – Read more

The Best Practice Toolkit is intended to support governments across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen the policy and regulatory frameworks that govern the planning, protection and management of subsea telecommunications cables. Developed by the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, the Toolkit consolidates international best practice and practical guidance drawing on examples from across the Indo-Pacific to support informed, real-world decision-making. The Best Practice Toolkit is for people working within government across the Indo-Pacific who are responsible for, or advise on, subsea telecommunications cable policy and regulation, including: policymakers and regulatorsofficials working across digital connectivity, telecommunications, infrastructure, security, and economic developmentstate-owned enterprises managing cable infrastructureThe Toolkit includes: Toolkit Overview – background information and instructions on how to use the Toolkit.Toolkit packs - 12 thematic packs, each focused on a specific aspect of subsea telecommunications cable policy or regulation, with core guidance and supplementary documents that provide additional detail, examples and context.The Toolkit Overview is available to download below, and to request access to thematic packs, please email the CCRC at undersea.cable@dfat.gov.au.

Panelists discuss cable protection zones during a CCRC workshop with ASEAN Member States. A speaker holds a microphone while presenting on stage alongside three others.

2026-07-06

Strengthening subsea cable resilience with ASEAN Member States – Read more

The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC), in partnership with Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), brought together ASEAN Member States in Singapore on 23–24 June for a workshop to promote subsea telecommunications cable protection, regulation and resilience. This built on earlier CCRC and IMDA collaboration to support the updating of ASEAN’s 2019 Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables. Subsea telecommunications cables carry around 99 per cent of international data traffic and form the backbone of the global digital economy. As demand for digital connectivity continues to grow, ensuring the resilience and protection of this infrastructure is now a priority for governments globally.   The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for ASEAN Member States to review national approaches and international best practice on the management of secure and resilient cables. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed practical approaches to strengthen policy, regulatory and operational frameworks for subsea telecommunications infrastructure.  CCRC also launched its Best Practice Toolkit, which provides practical guidance to governments across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen policy and regulation for planning, protecting and managing subsea telecommunications infrastructure.  The CCRC looks forward to continuing its engagement with ASEAN Member States and IMDA to support secure and resilient connectivity across our region. 

Representatives from the Government of Indonesia stand with Australian counterparts on a beach, one man talks to the group holding a informative picture as he talks about subsea telecommunication cables.

2026-03-26

Australia hosts Indonesian delegation to strengthen subsea cable cooperation – Read more

The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) hosted a study tour for officials from the Government of Indonesia’s National Team for the Management of Subsea Pipelines and/or Cables. The visit brought together Australian Government agencies to share views on end-to-end subsea telecommunications cable governance, including permitting, protection and resilience. Discussions covered planning, installation, operation and repair, coordination across government, critical infrastructure risk mitigation and incident response. Delegates also met with private sector operators to better understand their decision making and explore how government and industry work together to support secure and reliable connectivity.The study tour supported Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to streamline its permitting processes, enhance transparency and strengthen cable protection settings, consistent with international best practice. It also advanced discussions on the viability of new fibre optic subsea cable links between Australia and Indonesia.The CCRC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Indonesia’s National Team to enhance digital connectivity between Australia and Indonesia.

Participants stand in a conference room in front of a projector screen for a workshop in the Phiippines on the protection and strengthening of subsea telecommunications cables.

2026-01-23

Philippines progresses subsea cable protection – Read more

A workshop in the Philippines has marked a significant milestone in regulatory reform for subsea telecommunications cables and set the stage for the next phase of work. Hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) in November 2025, the workshop looked at proposed reforms to strengthen the protection of the Philippines’ subsea telecommunications cables and simplify permitting processes for the installation and repair of cables to support the country’s growing connectivity needs. These proposed reforms build on analysis conducted through the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, which examined the Philippines’ subsea cable ecosystem, regulatory environment, and future market potential. Over the past year, CCRC has worked with DICT on guidance to implement a framework for the management and protection of subsea telecommunication cables in the Philippines. The DICT has progressed a regulatory pathway for submarine cable management, shared key analysis with the Office of the President, and initiated steps to establish a dedicated sub-committee on submarine cables within the National Maritime Council. Through this work, internal capacity across DICT has been strengthened, with staff now better equipped to implement and advocate for reforms across government. This work has helped position the Philippines as a regional leader on subsea cable resilience, aligning closely with ASEAN’s digital connectivity agenda as the country prepares to assume the ASEAN Chair in January 2026.The workshop marks another step in strengthening collaboration between Australia and the Philippines to enhance digital connectivity, resilience, and economic opportunity through well-coordinated infrastructure policy reform.

CCRC and Indonesian representatives standing together in an office beside a CCRC banner during the undersea cable resilience study tour.

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.