SoftBank Corp. Initiates Construction of Next-generation Submarine Cable Connecting Asia and the United States
SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), a member of E2A Consortium, announced it agreed to initiate construction of a new submarine cable system, “E2A,” that will connect Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. The consortium selected Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build a state-of-the-art transpacific fiber optic network that spans approximately 12,500km and is designed to significantly enhance digital connectivity between Asia and North America.
With the surge in demand driven by cloud computing, data processing and next-generation mobile networks, the need for ultra-high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure has never been greater. The E2A represents a major step forward in global communications, delivering unprecedented performance, scalability, and reliability, while integrating sustainability-driven design principles.
Crossing the Pacific Ocean, the E2A submarine cable system will link major digital hubs in Asia and North America, with landings in Maruyama (Chiba, Japan), Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea) and Morro Bay (California, USA).
The E2A submarine cable system will provide a robust backbone for AI applications, data centers, and cloud services, ensuring high-speed connectivity across the Pacific as well as intra-Asia.