BALI, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin) and ITCO Niaga Sdn Bhd today officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the planning and development of the Indonesia Cable Express II (ICE II) subsea cable system, during the 10th edition of Bali Annual Telkom International (BATIC) 2025.
The ICE II system is designed as a state-of-the-art, high-capacity submarine cable network connecting Singapore to Manado, with additional links to key Indonesian cities including Batam, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Balikpapan. Notably, the cable will also extend to Tawau in Sabah, Malaysia, with further domestic connections reaching Sandakan, Kudat, and Kota Kinabalu.
This project represents a significant advancement in Southeast Asia’s digital infrastructure. By establishing a new eastward route through Manado—an alternative to the traditionally utilized South China Sea corridor—ICE II enhances the resilience of the region’s telecommunications networks, mitigates congestion risks, and provides scalable capacity to support accelerating demands in cloud computing, digital services, and enterprise connectivity.
Beyond enhancing connectivity, ICE II is expected to serve as a foundational enabler of Southeast Asia’s burgeoning digital economy. The cable will facilitate faster adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud platforms, and smart city applications. Furthermore, it is anticipated to attract substantial investment in data centers, digital services, and content delivery networks, thereby strengthening the overall regional digital ecosystem.
For East Malaysia, the direct cable landing in Tawau, complemented by links to Sandakan, Kudat, and Kota Kinabalu, promises to significantly reinforce Sabah’s digital backbone. This expanded infrastructure is projected to stimulate investment opportunities, empower local enterprises with enhanced digital capabilities, and improve internet access for communities throughout the region.
Azmal Yahya, Telin Chief of Product , commented, “Signing this MoU is a crucial milestone in our commitment to developing resilient and world-class digital infrastructure. ICE II will not only deepen connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore but also foster greater regional integration by extending connectivity to East Malaysia. This initiative reaffirms Telin’s dedication to advancing Southeast Asia’s digital ecosystem.”
Madam Anita Aqeela Hiong, Managing Director of ITCO Niaga Sdn Bhd , added, “Our collaboration with Telin on ICE II marks a strategic step toward Malaysia’s digital transformation objectives, particularly for Sabah. Enhanced connectivity will drive socio-economic growth, broaden digital inclusivity, and increase the region’s competitiveness.”