Telin, SDEC, and ITCO Partner to Develop ICE II Submarine Cable System, Strengthening Southeast Asia’s Digital Connectivity
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk, through its international subsidiary PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International or Telin, has signed a partnership with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) and ITCO Niaga Sdn Bhd (ITCO) to jointly develop the Indonesia Cable Express II (ICE II), a new high-capacity submarine cable system designed to strengthen digital connectivity across Southeast Asia.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Wednesday, Oct 22.
The MoU was signed by Telin CEO Budi Satria Dharma Purba, SDEC CEO Dato Ir Ts Sudarnoto Osman, and ITCO Managing Director Anita Aqeela Hiong, witnessed by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
ICE II will form part of a high-capacity fiber-optic network linking Singapore to Manado, while connecting major regional cities in Indonesia and East Malaysia, including Batam, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Balikpapan, Kuching, and Tawau. The new system will also extend connectivity routes toward North Asia and the United States.
According to Telin CEO Budi Satria Dharma Purba, the project marks a strategic step to deepen regional collaboration and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global digital economy. “By connecting strategic locations in Indonesia and extending international reach, ICE II unites the strengths of SDEC, ITCO, and Telin. We are committed to delivering reliable, seamless connectivity to accelerate digital transformation across Southeast Asia,” he said.
The ICE II system is designed to meet growing regional demand for high-speed transmission capacity between data centers. With a new route via Manado, it offers a more resilient alternative outside the heavily trafficked South China Sea corridor, improving the reliability of the region’s digital infrastructure.
SDEC CEO Dato Ir Ts Sudarnoto Osman said the initiative would bolster Sarawak’s international connectivity and support investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and green data centers. “This collaboration will enhance Sarawak’s role in the regional digital ecosystem and accelerate the digital economy for our communities,” he said.
Through this joint effort, Telin, SDEC, and ITCO aim to establish ICE II as a catalyst for innovation, technology integration, and regional growth. The system is expected to reinforce Southeast Asia’s position as a global digital hub, while promoting cross-border data resilience and sustainability.