{
  "id": 7487495,
  "title": "U.S. backs new Pacific cable as China rivalry reshapes networks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/u-s-backs-new-pacific-cable-as-china-rivalry-reshapes-networks",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-15T06:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/15/world/us-pacific-cable-china/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has announced support for a feasibility study on a new trans-Pacific submarine cable connecting the U.S. with Thailand and up to five other Southeast Asian nations. This cable, potentially stretching up to 11,500 miles, would link Thailand with the U.S. through Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, carefully avoiding the South China Sea and other regions of heightened security concerns. The project aims to replace Thailand's outdated subsea link to the U.S., enhance the resilience and diversity of international networks, and bolster Thailand's data center, cloud, and AI sectors, as well as provide more affordable connectivity.\n\nThe initiative aligns with the U.S.'s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific region, a priority area amid increased competition from China. Beijing's aggressive claims in strategic waterways, particularly the South China Sea, have complicated global efforts to lay new undersea cables. As countries across the Indo-Pacific expand their digital infrastructure, the construction of nearly two dozen international cables is anticipated between 2022 and 2030, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.\n\nWhile the USTDA has not disclosed an estimated cost for this particular project, projections suggest that the total expenditure on new undersea cable construction could surpass $14 billion between 2025 and 2027. Recently, the USTDA has also pledged support for expanding port facilities in the Philippines' Subic Bay and establishing a nationwide public Wi-Fi network. Additionally, the agency plans to develop liquefied natural gas and nuclear projects in the region to reduce electricity costs and attract businesses, aiming to counter China's growing influence in supply chains.",
  "summary": "The U.S. has been working to expand its role in building subsea cables, which carry nearly all international internet traffic.",
  "key_points": [
    "U.S. Trade and Development Agency backs feasibility study for new trans-Pacific submarine cable.",
    "Cable would connect U.S. with Thailand and five Southeast Asian nations, avoiding South China Sea.",
    "Project aims to enhance regional resilience, data center sectors, and affordability of connectivity."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The US support for the new Pacific cable is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific region and counter China's growing influence in digital infrastructure and supply chains.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}