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Introduction: Connecting the Digital Future
In an era where artificial intelligence and next-generation communication technologies are driving unprecedented data demand, the infrastructure supporting global connectivity is more critical than ever. On September 22, SoftBank announced a strategic collaboration with Meta Platforms and three other companies to construct a major international undersea cable linking Japan and Singapore. This initiative is not merely about laying fiber; it is a forward-looking move to secure ultra-fast, high-capacity data transmission across Asia and the Pacific.
SoftBank’s Groundbreaking “Candle” Project
The new undersea cable, dubbed Candle, is designed to span approximately 8,000 kilometers by 2028. Its route will pass through Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, connecting multiple key markets. By deploying high-density fiber technology, Candle aims to deliver low-latency, high-volume data transfer, crucial for the rapidly growing needs of AI applications and next-generation communication services.
Meta’s Active Role and Collaborative Structure
Meta is taking an active leadership role by sending a chairman to the corporate consortium managing the project. In addition to Meta and SoftBank, Japan’s IPS, along with major telecom operators from Malaysia and Indonesia, are key participants, making the initiative a five-company collaboration. NEC has been tasked with the construction, ensuring technical expertise and operational efficiency in laying the network across challenging oceanic terrains.
SoftBank’s Strategic Vision
This venture is part of SoftBank’s broader strategy to expand international undersea cable networks in Asia and across the Pacific. Previously, SoftBank relied on two existing cable networks, but the company recently agreed to lay the E2A cable, linking Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan, highlighting its commitment to enhancing connectivity infrastructure for AI and high-speed data services. The Candle project complements these efforts, ensuring redundancy, higher capacity, and faster transmission speeds for the next decade.
What Undercode Say:
SoftBank’s Candle project represents more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it is a strategic positioning in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of Asia-Pacific. As AI and 5G adoption accelerates, data traffic is expected to surge exponentially. By constructing an 8,000-kilometer network with multiple branching points, SoftBank is preemptively addressing potential bottlenecks and enhancing regional connectivity resilience.
The inclusion of Meta as a primary collaborator signals the growing trend of tech giants actively investing in physical infrastructure, moving beyond software dominance into the backbone of global communications. This hybrid model—corporate tech leadership combined with traditional telecom expertise—ensures both innovation and operational reliability.
Moreover, Candle’s design prioritizes low-latency transmission. In AI-driven applications, milliseconds matter, whether for real-time analytics, autonomous systems, or cloud-based AI services. By incorporating high-density fiber technology, this network positions Asia as a competitive hub for AI and digital innovation.
The choice of routing through Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia is not just geographical—it reflects strategic economic hubs with expanding digital economies. These regions are seeing massive increases in cloud adoption, digital payments, gaming, and enterprise-level AI deployments. Investing in connectivity here is essentially future-proofing infrastructure against a forecasted data explosion.
SoftBank’s move also emphasizes redundancy and risk management. Undersea cables are vulnerable to natural disasters, accidental cuts, and geopolitical risks. By adding new routes, branching options, and diverse paths, SoftBank ensures continuity of service even in crisis scenarios, which is vital for multinational enterprises and cloud service providers.
The project highlights the emerging importance of Asia-Pacific as a central node in global digital networks. With the U.S. and European markets already saturated, future digital growth will be concentrated in these fast-developing economies. Projects like Candle reinforce SoftBank and Meta’s foresight in positioning themselves as infrastructural pioneers rather than just service providers.
Lastly, the collaboration points to the growing privatization of global infrastructure. Traditionally, undersea cables were state-led or government-regulated initiatives. Now, corporate consortia are taking the lead, blending private capital with strategic technological priorities. This marks a shift in how global digital connectivity is developed and managed.
Fact Checker Results:
Candle cable is confirmed to span \~8,000 km connecting Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia ✅
NEC is officially contracted for construction, SoftBank and Meta are primary partners ✅
Project completion targeted by 2028, aligning with regional AI and data growth forecasts ✅
Prediction:
The Candle undersea cable will likely accelerate AI adoption and cloud service expansion across Asia-Pacific. By 2030, regions connected by this network may emerge as global digital innovation hubs, attracting investment, boosting tech startups, and reducing latency-dependent technological limitations. SoftBank and Meta could establish a dominant infrastructural presence, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the telecom and AI sectors.
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