The consortium behind the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) submarine cable system project connecting Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and Europe have signed a supply contract with NEC Corporation for the S1H segment, representing the Thailand-to-Vietnam-and-Hong Kong section of the network. This announcement follows awards to a contractor for the AAE-1 S1S and S2 segments, and signals major progress in linking the major cities of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Stretching approximately 25,000km, AAE-1 is scheduled to be ready for service in 2016. AAE-1 will be the first high-capacity cable system to link all major South East Asian nations to Africa and Europe via the Middle East.
NEC holds a wealth of experience in submarine cable projects throughout the Asia Pacific region, and provides best-in-class system component design, compatible with the overall AAE-1 system architecture. The consortium will work with NEC to ensure AAE-1’s Thailand-Hong Kong segment is ready for service (RFS) at the same time as the Europe-Asia segment.
NEC’s Naoki Yoshida, general manager of the Submarine Network Division, said: “NEC is very proud to have been selected as supplier for the Hong Kong extension of the AAE-1 submarine cable. We believe our latest 100Gbps transmission and OADM technologies have once again been recognised, together with our solid track record in the South East Asia region.”
