The second submarine Cable Landing station breaks ground today at Ngardmau State according to information from Belau Submarine Cable Corporation (BSCC) CEO Robin Russell. The second cable connects a spur to the Echo Cable System that directly connects the US to Singapore over an express route.
The Ngardmau facilities include a prefabricated Cable Landing Station provisioned by DXN of Australia, civil and building works plus ductworks by Surangel & Sons Construction and submarine cable components by NEC of Japan.
The second submarine cable was acquired for resiliency but also to “significantly improve connectivity options for Palau Retail Service Providers.” This second cable offers a direct connection with Singapore and with mainland USA and is said to “complement our existing Guam connection with the first cable (PCI).
Made possible through tri-lateral cooperation between Australia, Japan, and the United States, the three countries provided the funds through a “complex web of financing” to ensure the project becomes a reality.
This second cable is expected to go into service in the 4th quarter of 2023.