Batam Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS)

Overview

Batam Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS) is a regional submarine cable system that connects Batam, Indonesia, with Kuching, Malaysia. The total length of the cable is 762 km and it became operational in 2021.

Route and Landings

Batam, Indonesia: This landing point serves as a key connection for internet traffic between Batam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

• Kuching, Malaysia: The second landing point provides direct connectivity to Kuching and its surrounding regions, enhancing the overall network infrastructure in Sarawak.

Ownership and Operators

The cable is owned by Irix Sdn Bhd. This operator is a subsidiary of Telefónica, one of Spain's largest telecommunications companies, with significant presence across Latin America and Europe.

Status and Timeline

Batam Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS) was ready for service in 2021. The status of the cable remains unknown as no further details are provided.

Strategic Context

The BaSICS system connects Batam, an important industrial and commercial hub in Indonesia, with Kuching, a major city in Sarawak, Malaysia. This connection serves both as a primary data route and a redundancy option for neighboring cable systems in the region.

Indonesia is a key player in Southeast Asian telecommunications, with a growing demand for internet services due to its large population and increasing digitalization efforts.

The corridor generally serves the intra-regional traffic needs between Indonesia and Malaysia, supporting business operations, e-commerce activities, and overall economic growth in both countries. By providing direct connectivity, BaSICS helps to reduce latency and improve reliability for data transmission between these two important markets.