Trans-Pacific cable gets green light
- — 22 September, 2009 12:30
The PIPE Networks undersea cable system, PIPE Pacific Cable (PPC-1), has successfully undergone tests, through the transmission of IP packets between Australia and the US, ahead of its launch next month.
The cable system, stretching from Sydney to Guam and capable of carrying data at 1.92 terabits per second, will bring further competition to Australia's broadband market.
About 6900km of cable will be laid from Sydney to San Jose in the US, via Guam, and Internode will be the first internet service provider to use the new fibre-optic cable.
Internode managing director, Simon Hackett, said he has full confidence in the cable’s readiness for commercial use, which will bring about more capacity and greater reliability for customers.
“Having one more international link path means the failure of any specific cable system has only a minimal impact on Internode customers - this is going to be our fourth major international cable path leaving Australia,” Hackett said.
Once the PPC-1 link is integrated into Internode’s network, the company expects the link to carry around one third of its total international data traffic.
“We will look to revise Internode plans, including significant increases in quota, to reflect the improved economics of the new link," Hackett said. "It's slated for release around the time PPC-1 goes fully live in October.”
PIPE International says other tests include full capacity testing, commissioning and acceptance testing of the Submarine Line Terminal Equipment and Power Feed Equipment.
The cable is on track for official handover to foundation customers on 8th October, 2009.
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