Jakarta, INTI - Telkom Indonesia is seeking to attract investment by positioning Indonesian waters as an alternative route for global subsea cables, particularly amid growing concerns over connectivity stability resulting from geopolitical crises and trade tensions.
“The ambition is to position Indonesia not only as a connectivity destination, but also as a strategic hub in the Asia-Pacific region,” Telkom Indonesia President Director Dian Siswarini said on the sidelines of the opening of BATIC 2026 in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Wednesday.
She explained that through Indonesia Cable Express (ICE), Telkom is implementing the strategy across several corridors by strengthening key routes, including intra-Asia, Trans-Pacific, and Asia-Europe connectivity.
The company is also preparing further expansion into the Europe–Middle East–Africa, Trans-Atlantic, and US–Latin America corridors.
According to Dian, diversifying subsea cable routes can provide greater certainty and resilience amid an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
“The goal is not simply to build more cables, but to create an integrated network of strategic corridors that positions Indonesia as a stronger gateway between Asia-Pacific markets and the broader global digital economy,” she said.
Geopolitical Tensions Open New Connectivity Opportunities
Meanwhile, Telin CEO Abdul Rahman Ansyori said two major global developments are creating opportunities for Indonesia to become an alternative destination for international subsea cable connectivity.
These include tensions in the South China Sea, including trade disputes, and geopolitical instability in the Middle East, particularly tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
He explained that when Telin initiated subsea cable projects such as Bifrost, which connects Manado with the United States, the project attracted interest from foreign companies, including those from the US, seeking alternatives to routes through the South China Sea.
Similarly, connectivity from South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to the United States currently relies heavily on routes through Europe and the Middle East.
However, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Indonesian waters could provide an alternative route with direct connectivity to the Americas, including the United States.
“That is what we are currently building through ICE, connecting all these continents to create new alternative routes. We want to position Indonesia as a new route that strengthens the resilience of global connectivity,” Abdul Rahman said.
Indonesia Eyes New Investment Through Global Connectivity
The opportunity is also expected to attract greater investment into Indonesia, as subsea cable development requires extensive collaboration, including through international consortiums.
Telkom currently allocates around 18–20% of its annual consolidated revenue to digital infrastructure investment.
The company operates approximately 545,011 kilometers of fiber-optic networks, comprising 115,844 kilometers of domestic networks and 429,167 kilometers of international networks.
Telkom also operates 34 international subsea cable systems, consisting of 12 consortium-based systems and 22 company-owned systems. In addition, its infrastructure includes 297,292 telecommunications transmission networks, 44,799 towers, 36 data centers across domestic and international locations, and three satellites with a combined capacity of 42.2 Gbps.
Conclusion
Telkom’s strategy to develop Indonesia as an alternative route for global subsea cables highlights the country’s growing role in the international digital connectivity landscape. By diversifying routes and strengthening strategic corridors, Indonesia can improve connectivity resilience while attracting investment in digital infrastructure.
Read more: Telkom Targets Middle East and US with 14 New Subsea Cable Projects