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Viettel Business Solutions Corporation (Viettel Solutions), representing Viettel Group (Viettel) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singtel to develop the Vietnam-Singapore Cable System submarine cable system (VTS), directly connecting Vietnam and Singapore.

This marks a significant milestone for Viettel in its efforts to implement the “Development Strategy of Vietnam’s International Optical Cable System by 2030, vision to 2035” by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) of Vietnam.

Viettel Keeping an Eye Out for Big, Bold Goals

With the goal of becoming a regional data centre (Digital Hub), Vietnam’s international optical cables have been identified as a critical component of the digital infrastructure that must be invested in first. This will provide international connectivity that will be boosted by super-large capacity, ultra-wide bandwidth, in-house expertise, and security capabilities to support the nation’s digital transformation, digital economy, digital society as well as international integration, sustainably.

According to this strategy, by 2030, Vietnam needs to increase its total number of submarine cables to a minimum of 15 systems with a total capacity of at least 334 Tbps. At least two of these submarine cable systems founded by Vietnam must be in operation, with priority given to short routes directly connecting to major Digital Hubs in Asia.

The submarine cable systems shall be deployed evenly in three directions: to the north of the East Sea; to the south of the East Sea, and to the Southern Sea areas.

Recognising its role as the leading telco in Vietnam, Viettel has closely followed the MIC’s strategic 2030 plans for the deployment of submarine cables to meet the capacity needs and ensure secure connectivity across Viettel’s networks under all circumstances, especially with regard to national information security.

The VTS is a key project for Viettel under this initiative. As part of the MoU, both parties intend to develop the submarine cable system connecting Vietnam to Singapore (VTS cable) with a configuration of eight fibre pairs (8FP), using the latest advanced wavelength division multiplexing technology available today.

The main trunk landing stations are planned to be in Vietnam (managed by Viettel) and Singapore (managed by Singtel). Additionally, the VTS cable is expected to have branch landing stations in Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The VTS cable is scheduled to be operational in Q2, 2027. The VTS will become the first cable with the latest advanced bandwidth technology jointly established by the two largest operators in Vietnam and Singapore and will be the shortest cable directly connecting Vietnam to the largest digital hub in Asia, Singapore.

Developing Vietnam’s Optical Cable System

The deployment of this cable system is in line with Vietnam’s strategy for developing its international optical cable system by 2030, with a vision to 2035. When put into operation, the cable will add hundreds of Tbps to Viettel’s total international connectivity capacity, providing a large amount of high-speed capacity, opening up a new connection to the South and enhancing the redundancy and security of Viettel’s international connection infrastructure.

Nguyen Manh Ho, General Director at Viettel Solutions, stated: “Through investing in the VTS submarine cable project, Viettel affirms its pioneering role in accompanying the Government in building and developing digital infrastructure in Vietnam, promoting comprehensive digital transformation, meeting the demand for high-speed data transmission, efficiently utilising 4.0 technologies, and ensuring information security of national communication.”

At the signing ceremony, Ooi Seng Keat, Vice President, Digital Infrastructure & Services, at Singtel said, “Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest growing digital economies in Southeast Asia with enterprises and consumers adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence and data-intensive applications. The construction of the VTS cable will support this increasing demand for higher bandwidth and lower-latency connectivity. We look forward to partnering with Viettel to support Vietnam’s and the region’s digital and economic growth ambitions.”

Playing a Significant Role in Digital Transformation

With investment in and ownership of new submarine cables, Viettel expects to play a significant role as a crucial link in the digital infrastructure and international and regional data transmission infrastructure, deploying international Internet connection applications requiring high-speed connection such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual Reality (AR/VR).

Viettel will also ensure the safety and redundancy of its network, the quality of Internet services and other international connection services, as well as national information security. Prior to this, Viettel announced its investment in the Asia Direct Cable (ADC), the largest bandwidth cable system in Vietnam, with connections to all three largest IP Hubs in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore).

The Vietnamese firm also owns the landing station of this cable in Quy Nhon and is the largest investor in The Asia Link Cable (ALC), connecting to the two main IP Hubs in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore). It owns the landing station of this cable in Da Nang.

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