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The build progress of Australia’s newest transcontinental network

Follow the progress of SMAP as SUBCO builds one of the most powerful undersea cables in the world

LEARN MORE ABOUT SMAP
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UPDATES

The build progress of Australia’s newest transcontinental network

Follow the progress of SMAP as SUBCO builds one of the most powerful undersea cables in the world

Learn more about SMAP

Day 545

SMAP Build Progress

55%

Marine Survey (2)

Inshore

Complete

Deep Water

Complete

Terminal Equipment

Complete

Repeaters

Complete

Cables

Complete

System Assembly

In Progress (90%)

Commonwealth

In Progress (93%)

New South Wales

In Progress (87%)

South Australia

In Progress (97%)

Victoria

In Progress (65%)

Western Australia

In Progress (95%)

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne (Torquay)

In Progress

Adelaide

In Progress

Perth

In Progress

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne (Torquay)

In Progress

Adelaide

In Progress

Perth

Complete

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne

In Progress

Adelaide

Complete

Perth

Complete

Cable Loading

Not Started

Inshore Installation

Not Started

Land Cable Installation

Not Started

Transit

Not Started

Cable Laying

Not Started

Acceptance Testing

Not Started

Provisional Acceptance

Not Started

SLTE Integration

Not Started

Day 545

SMAP Build Progress

55%

Marine Survey (2)

Inshore

Complete

Deep Water

Complete

Terminal Equipment

Complete

Repeaters

Complete

Cables

Complete

System Assembly

In Progress (90%)

Commonwealth

In Progress (93%)

New South Wales

In Progress (87%)

South Australia

In Progress (97%)

Victoria

In Progress (65%)

Western Australia

In Progress (95%)

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne (Torquay)

In Progress

Adelaide

In Progress

Perth

In Progress

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne (Torquay)

In Progress

Adelaide

In Progress

Perth

Complete

Sydney

In Progress

Melbourne

In Progress

Adelaide

Complete

Perth

Complete

Cable Loading

Not Started

Inshore Installation

Not Started

Land Cable Installation

Not Started

Transit

Not Started

Cable Laying

Not Started

Acceptance Testing

Not Started

Provisional Acceptance

Not Started

SLTE Integration

Not Started

Watch: Beach Manholes Arrive in Maroubra

February 11, 2025

It has been a big three months in Maroubra, with the six HDDs being completed. This now means the Beach Manholes (BMH) are ready to be installed.

Measuring 2.4 x 4 metres, three beach manholes were transported across the country and delivered on Monday in Maroubra. They were then lifted and moved into position in preparation for installation in the ground, with each BMH housing two of the HDD ocean lead-ins.

The ocean lead-ins are a crucial segment of the cable route that extends from terrestrial infrastructure into the marine environment, playing a vital role in safeguarding the cable and facilitating a seamless transition from land to sea.

The beach manhole provides access to essential cable components such as conduits, splice points, and accessories, enabling technicians to perform maintenance, inspections, or repairs.

After ground reinstatement occurs, access to the beach manholes should only be required every 10-15 years. Watch the footage below.

SUBCO attends Capacity Middle East in Dubai

February 6, 2025

In one of the world’s most iconic cities, SUBCO proudly joined the global infrastructure and telecom community at Capacity Middle East 2025, barely a fortnight after wrapping up at PTC in Honolulu.

From the Pacific to the Middle East, the conversations around SMAP continue as our founder, Bevan Slattery met with customers and partners ahead of launch, which is on track for early 2026.

Wet Cable – Complete!

January 30, 2025

In a major milestone for the SMAP project, we’re excited to announce that we’ve reached 100% manufacturing completion for the wet plant, including: 
 
  • 100% wet segment cable sections
  • 100% repeaters, including spares
  • 100% branching units, including spares 
 
System Assembly is currently underway, and the SUBCO team will soon be heading to Calais to oversee the System Assembly & Tests (SAT) at the ASN manufacturing plant.  
 
What is System Assembly & Tests?  
 
This is the process undertaken at the factory to assemble all the system components into their final arrangement and carry out thorough testing and characterisation prior to loading onto the cable ship and then laying on the seafloor.  
 
Tests are carried out to confirm the optical and electrical characteristics of each cable section, repeater and branching unit.  These tests help ensure the optical power levels are within range, the electrical performance of the system is correct and that there are no cumulative issues across the assembled system.    
 
It’s critical to demonstrate correct operation of the whole system prior to ship loading, and to catch and remediate any possible issues beforehand, as they may be much more expensive and problematic to fix later on.

Profile: Carlos Trujillo

January 28, 2025

 Carlos Trujillo, Executive Director at SUBCO, brings over 30 years of domestic and international network management and inter-carrier negotiation experience.

Carlos has played a pivotal role in delivering major submarine infrastructure projects, including the Telstra Endeavour Project, where he oversaw the initiative from business case development through to commercial and operational execution. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an Executive MBA.

When it comes to the SMAP Project, Carlos is based in our key location of Melbourne and ensures optimal stakeholder and partner engagement while overseeing the project’s performance at the highest level. We’re lucky to have you on the team, Carlos!

Carlos Trujillo, Executive Director at SUBCO

SUBCO attends PTC’25

January 23, 2025

 With the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop, the SUBCO team proudly joined the global infrastructure and telecom community at PTC’25, one of the most anticipated events on the telecommunications calendar. 
 
This year, our focus was on continuing meaningful conversations with our customers and interested parties, while sharing new updates on the progress of SMAP.  
 
We were also honoured to receive the 2025 Outstanding Submarine Network Company award at the PTC Awards. This recognition is a true testament to our team’s dedication to network reliability and our unwavering commitment to delivering the best possible experience for our customers. A massive thank you for this recognition, and to those who continue to support us along the way – we truly appreciate it.


SMAP Update: Enhancing Resilience of the SMAP Cable with FiberSense

January 21, 2025

Today we’re announcing an extension to our strategic partnership with FiberSense technology on the upcoming SMAP subsea cable. 

Read the press release here

What is FiberSense?

FiberSense transforms existing fibre cables into a sensor network capable of detecting physical activity by analysing pico changes to light patterns in real-time. This technology helps identify disturbances including tampering, ship anchor dragging, fishing activities, cable unearthing and strumming or underwater seismic activity that could damage the cables.

Bevan’s thoughts on the partnership:

“I have long been a big supporter and investor in FiberSense because it truly is the first time we can make these systems situationally aware of their surroundings and detect activity nearby through sensing pico changes in optical characteristics from the slightest vibrations on the system.”

By armouring the SMAP cable with FiberSense, we’ll enable Australia’s only second subsea cable system to include dedicated sensing fibres, extending the capability of FiberSense to approximately 150km. The first system was SUBCO’s Oman Australia Cable (OAC).

Watch the announcement video below.

HDD work in Sydney edges towards completion

Drilling HDD Sydney

January 16, 2025

Hdd.update.sydney.jan.25

HDD progress in Sydney advanced steadily over the holidays, with the successful completion of HDD3 and HDD4. Meanwhile, work on the 5th HDD is nearing completion, with just a few metres to go before punch-out. This is on track to be finalised by the end of this week.

We would like to express our gratitude to the UEA Team for their dedication to the project and adherence to the timeline.

As always, we remain committed to ensuring that all our work in building undersea cables is carried out as efficiently as possible with minimal disruption to the surrounding communities.

A Big Year for the SMAP Project – 2024 Progress Recap 

December 24, 2024

This year has been monumental for the SMAP Project. Let’s take a look back at the highlights!  
 
The SMAP Blog officially launched in November 2023, documenting our progress and attracting almost 40,000 views since its inception.  
 
March 
  • Cable Manufacturing: Production began at ASN
  • System Upgrade: The SMAP cable’s design was enhanced from 12 to 16 fibre pairs, increasing total system capacity by 33%. This upgrade provides an increased total capacity from 300Tbps to 400Tbps, meeting surging demand connectivity. 
April 
  • Sydney Fronthaul: Construction commenced, moving the project forward. 
May 
June 
August 
  • Adelaide HDD Completion: Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) finished, paving the way for the beach manhole excavation and installation. 
September 
  • LEGO Model at AusNOG: We showcased a LEGO model of the SMAP Cable at AusNOG 2024.
  • Groundbreaking in Maroubra: Celebrations took place as HDD work officially began. Melbourne (Torquay) HDD is scheduled for 2025, with all landing infrastructure expected to be ready within the next 12 months. 
October 
November 
  • Backhaul Design: The Torquay to Melbourne backhaul design reached completion.
  • Repeater Progress: Subsea repeater manufacturing hit 100% completion.
  • Partnership with Google: SUBCO announced a collaboration with Google to develop critical landing infrastructure in Maroubra, NSW, and Torquay, VIC. This partnership aims to deploy connectivity solutions efficiently while minimizing environmental impact and strengthening Australia’s subsea cable routes. 
 
Looking Ahead 
  • Cable Manufacturing: Progressing well, with completion anticipated by year-end. Deployment is scheduled for mid-2025. 
 
 What a year it’s been for the SMAP Project. Here’s to even greater milestones in 2025. Scroll through some of our favourite images from this year below. 
 
 ​

Watch: Bevan Slattery’s Keynote AusNOG Speech

Understanding Subsea

December 19, 2024

One of the highlights of 2024 was our founder, Bevan Slattery’s, keynote at AusNOG titled Behind the Curtain of Building Australia’s Most Secure Subsea Systems.

Without further ado, we’re excited to share the full presentation, courtesy of AusNOG. 

Wavelength products – Part Three, OTN Client Services​

Design Manufacturing Technology Understanding Subsea

December 17, 2024

In addition to carrying ethernet services, OTN networks have their own interface standards allowing the carriage of OTN containers from other customers networks.

When purchasing an “OTN” product from SUBCO, carriers can transparently run their own OTN networks across the top of the SUBCO network. SUBCO offers OTN services at OTU4 (100Gbps) or OTU2/2e(10Gbps) interface rates.

When it comes to SMAP, a customer may have optical DWDM/OTN equipment in Perth and Sydney, and purchase an OTU4 OTN service from SUBCO across SMAP.​

By connecting using an OTU4 between the two cities, the customer now has 100Gbps of dedicated capacity it can use and break up into smaller chucks of guaranteed capacity for its own use or combine with its own value features for on-sell to its own target market. In this setup, the customer’s Sydney and Perth devices are able to communicate transparently with each other using the OTU4 service across the SUBCO network using what is known as General Communication Channels (GCC).

Otn Client Services