Oman Australia Cable
An In-depth Examination of the Submarine Infrastructure Connecting Continents.
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Cable Overview
Core Infrastructure
The Oman Australia Cable (OAC) is a significant submarine communications cable system. It utilizes advanced fibre-optic technology to facilitate high-speed data transmission across vast oceanic distances.
Physical Specifications
Stretching approximately 9,800 kilometers, the OAC comprises three fibre pairs. Its initial design capacity was 39 terabits per second (Tbit/s), a figure subsequently upgraded to 48 Tbit/s.
Operational Status
The cable officially entered service in September 2022, marking a critical milestone in international digital connectivity. It was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Australia in October 2022.
Ownership & Operation
Primary Stakeholders
The Oman Australia Cable is owned and operated by SUBCO.[1] This entity is central to the cable's development and ongoing management.
Key Personnel
The project's vision is closely associated with Bevan Slattery, a prominent figure in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.[15]
Strategic Partners
Key landing partners include Omantel in Oman and Equinix, which provides essential landing station infrastructure in both Perth, Australia, and Muscat, Oman.[3]
Landing Points
Geographic Termini
The OAC connects critical global nodes across continents and islands:
- Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Diego Garcia
- Muscat, Oman
Development Timeline
Key Milestones
The development of the Oman Australia Cable involved several distinct phases:
- March 2020: SUBCO announced the project, targeting completion by December 2021.[4]
- January 2021: Cable manufacturing was completed by SubCom.[5]
- March 2021: Marine installation commenced, utilizing SubCom's cable ships.
- July 2021: The cable made landfall in Perth, Australia.[7]
- April 2022: Final landing occurred in Barka, Oman.[10]
- September 2022: The cable became operational.[11]
- October 2022: Official inauguration ceremony held in Perth.[12]
- March 2023: Plans announced for a 1,200 km spur to Salalah, Oman.[13]
- October 2023: Capacity upgraded to 48 Tbit/s.[2]
Route & Strategic Significance
Unique Path
The OAC distinguishes itself by providing a direct route between Australia and the Middle East/Europe, bypassing the more common Sunda Strait path used by cables connecting to Singapore. This southern Indian Ocean route offers enhanced diversity and potentially lower latency for traffic between Australia and regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).[11]
Latency Advantage
By establishing a more direct connection, the OAC aims to reduce data transmission latency, which is a critical factor for financial services, cloud computing, and real-time applications requiring rapid data exchange between continents.
Interconnectivity
At its Australian landing point in Perth, the OAC is interconnected with other major submarine cable systems, including INDIGO Central and INDIGO West. This integration enhances the overall network resilience and reach within the region.[1]
Notable Features & Extensions
Diego Garcia Spur
A significant aspect of the OAC is the inclusion of a spur line connecting to Diego Garcia, a strategically important island in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Navy reportedly contributed funding for this connection, highlighting its geopolitical importance for military communications.[17]
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References
References
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Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding AI-Generated Content
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence model. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on the Oman Australia Cable, and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the source material, the AI cannot guarantee the absolute correctness, completeness, or timeliness of the information presented.
This content does not constitute professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation regarding telecommunications infrastructure, network engineering, international law, or investment strategy. Users should consult official documentation and qualified professionals for any specific technical, business, or strategic decisions.
The creators of this content are not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information. Users are encouraged to verify critical information with primary sources.