Palapa Ring (11)

Now, Palapa Ring consortium consists of only three telcos : XL/Excelcomindo has recently left, due to significant loss last year. It was a bit surprising, since XL is the third largest telco, which owns significant fiber infrastructure across the country. Previously, Powertek and Infokom Elektrindo have also cancelled their commitment for Palapa Ring project. Check for the entire story here.

x-Gateway Trends: AAG, EIG and now APG - Asia Pacific Gateway

Just several hours ago, several media have reported this issue: a new Asian cable named APG (Asia Pacific Gateway). The project is consortium-based, formed almost similar to the AAG fashion. Besides, TM is also involved!

Why do they want to install this new system (despite existing and new cables: EAC-C2C, APCN-2, TGN-IA, AAG - TPE Intra Asia Segment, SJC ...) ? Telegeography mentioned that the Telcos don't want to rely on Intra-Asia private systems (Pacnet, Tata, etc.). Sure, they should have other good reasons for putting "more money" underwater :-D Network diversity is one possible consideration. Another thing is that they might want to have full control on their end-to-end regional services! Is this a sign against the concept of "carrier collaboration" campaigned by Bill & his Pacnet team ??

SEACOM : 44 Days Away from Completion

In the next months, Africa could hope for cheaper bandwidth price. Why ? .. Yes, right, SEACOM system shall be ready in the next couple of weeks. And they promised "We'll start the price war!". Well, I think there is currently still a few players on this business in Africa, means: the price would not be dropped very significantly. The "real" price war would happen if the other new systems connecting Africa to other regions are completed, which is likely to be happened after 2010. Any contra arguments ? :-D

Moratelindo Batam Dumai Cable (MBDC) System

Now it is official! Moratel has silently revealed that they currently prepare Batam Dumai undersea cable system. The project is named "Moratelindo Batam - Dumai Cable" (MBDC). It shall extend their international connection via MIC-1 system to Sumatra mainland and from there to other domestic locations.

Moratelindo Batam Dumai Cable :

• Capacity: 12 FP; @ 8 Lambda
• Length: 380 km
• Landing points: Batam, Dumai
• Branching to Melaka/Malaysia prepared
• Contractors : NSW (cable vendor), PT. Ketrosden Triasmitra (main contractor)
• Construction : 10 months; RFS target August/2009

AAG : RFS in 2010 ?

Recently, Telegeography said "PLDT hints at delays in completing AAG cable project". Inofficially, from one source, I heard that the system would commercially be ready in early 2010 at the soonest. Any other news versions ? :-D

Primetrica : Price Comparison

Primetrica has just released their sample database with regard to long distance bandwidth pricing.  The price spans from Europe - Africa connection at the most expensive side and Transatlantic (Europe - North America) at the cheapest. How about Asia ? Transpacific connections (case Hong Kong - LA) cost around 6 to 7 times higher than those for Transatlantic. Connections from Japan should be cheaper, but Europe - Asia connections might cost close to the figure for Europe - Africa. Note, that Primetrica has used their sample database for Q4/2008. Any comments on this ?


How much bandwidth does USD15,000 a month buy?

Jasuka Ring-3

Around two weeks ago, Telkom experienced simultaneous double network failures isolating part of Sumatra from the rest of the world : equipment failure due to lightning (Dumai ?); and a fiber cut due to civil works (Riau/Jambi ?). One or two days ago, a Telkom official said that they will activate a new transmission infrastructure preventing such a blackout from happening again in the future. They call this Jasuka Ring-3.