Jakarta, INTI - PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk (EXCL) is developing the Candle Cable System, an approximately 8,000-kilometer submarine cable network designed to connect Indonesia with Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. The system is targeted to become operational in 2028.
XLSmart Director and Chief Enterprise Business Officer Andrijanto Muljono said the Candle project represents a strategic investment to anticipate Indonesia’s long-term connectivity requirements.
“Candle is a strategic investment to prepare Indonesia for its long-term connectivity needs,” said Andrijanto in an official statement on Monday, September 14, 2026.
He explained that the continued expansion of the digital economy will require greater network capacity and broader access to global connectivity. The infrastructure is expected to provide Indonesian businesses with wider access to the regional digital ecosystem.
Candle is being developed by XLSmart in partnership with Meta, Globe Telecom, IPS Inc., Telekom Malaysia, and SoftBank Japan. NEC is serving as the technology partner for the development of the submarine cable system connecting several Asian countries.
Batam Selected as a Strategic Cable Landing Point
Tanjung Bemban has been selected as one of the cable landing points due to Batam’s strategic position in the development of the regional digital ecosystem.
The area has emerged as a hub for several hyperscalers and telecommunications companies, while also offering significant potential for data center development.
The Candle network is expected to connect data centers in Batam with countries along the cable route. The high-capacity connectivity is designed to support enterprise requirements, including the growing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital services.
Andrijanto said the connectivity will provide enterprise customers with additional international network options.
“For enterprise customers, Candle provides broader international connectivity options with high capacity, reliability, and scalability,” he added.
Candle to Strengthen Indonesia’s Regional Digital Connectivity
As the merger entity of XL Axiata and Smartfren, XLSmart continues to coordinate with the government and relevant stakeholders throughout the development of the project.
The permitting process is still underway to ensure that the Candle deployment complies with applicable regulations and requirements.
For Batam, the establishment of a Candle landing point could further strengthen the city’s position within the regional digital ecosystem.
Andrijanto emphasized that the project is intended to achieve more than simply adding a new connectivity route.
“Candle is not only about building a new connectivity route, but also about providing Indonesia with broader access to the regional digital ecosystem,” he said.
Conclusion
XLSmart’s 8,000-kilometer Candle Cable System represents a strategic step toward strengthening Indonesia’s international digital connectivity. By linking Indonesia with key Asian markets and supporting Batam’s growing data center ecosystem, the project is expected to provide higher-capacity, reliable, and scalable connectivity for enterprises while supporting the continued growth of cloud, AI, and digital services.
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