Chunghwa Telecom has entered a joint build agreement to form the APRICOT consortium, collaborating with multiple parties to develop a high-performance submarine cable connecting Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Guam.
Spanning 12,000 kilometers, APRICOT features state-of-the-art optical transmission technology and an innovative routing design. Expected to be completed in 2024, the cable will provide over 190Tbps of capacity, supporting high-speed and stable networks for 5G services, IoT, AI, AR/VR, cloud computing, and video conferencing.
With 5G adoption exceeding expectations since its launch in 2020, Chunghwa Telecom anticipates a surge in demand as next-generation services mature over the next few years. By investing in new submarine cables, the company aims to enhance 5G’s high speed, low latency, and mass connectivity while solidifying its international business strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening Taiwan’s position in the market. APRICOT further diversifies the cable network by adopting a unique route through the eastern Philippines, Indonesian waters, and Singapore, providing a more robust and flexible infrastructure for regional connectivity.
Hsueh-Lan Wu, President, International Business Group, Chunghwa Telecom
This special route of APRICOT will supplement the APG and SJC2, which land in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Thailand, forming a complete ring among Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries. We will continue leveraging our dual-ring axis strategy with diverse routings in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, strengthening our international business and meeting customer demands.