SEAMEWE 3

UPDATE: This cable was retired on December 2, 2024, after more than 25 years of service

The South-East Asia – Middle East – Western Europe 3 (SEA-ME-WE 3 or SMW3) submarine cable is the longest in the world, spanning 39,000 km and linking 39 cable landing stations across 33 countries and 4 continents, including Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe. Officially launched in 1999, SMW3 continues to be a critical artery for global communications.

The SMW3 cable system, supplied by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Fujitsu, initially featured state-of-the-art 8xSTM-16 DWDM technology, which was groundbreaking when it was designed in 1996. The system has undergone multiple upgrades, with its capacity significantly expanded through advanced 10G and 100G DWDM technologies, ensuring it remains at the forefront of global connectivity.

Network Map

AAE1 Map

System Details

Request For Service (RFS)

September 1999

Number of Fibre Pairs

2 fibre pairs

Initial system design capacity

8xSTM-16 DWDM

Current Capacity

Expanded through multiple upgrades to support 100G DWDM technology

Cable Length

39,000 km

Wavelength technology

100Gbps DWDM (upgraded from original 10G

Owners

A1 Telekom Austria, AT&T, Altice Portugal, BICS, BT, CTM, China Telecom, Chunghwa Telecom, Cyta, Deutsche Telekom, Djibouti Telecom, Embratel, Etisalat UAE, Indosat Ooredoo, Jabatan Telecom Brunei, KDDI, KPN, KT, LG Uplus, Maroc Telecom, Myanmar Post and Telecommunication (MPT), National Telecom, OTEGLOBE, Omantel, Orange, Orange Polska, PCCW, PLDT, Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd., Rostelecom, Saudi Telecom, Singtel, Singtel Optus, Softbank Corp, Sparkle, Sri Lanka Telecom, Tata Communications, Telecom Argentina, Telecom Egypt, Telekom Malaysia, Telkom South Africa, Telstra, Tunisia Telecom, Turk Telekom, Ukrtelecom, VNPT International, Verizon, Vocus Communications, Vodafone, eir

Landing Points

Australia – Perth, WA
Vietnam – Danang
Brunei – Tungku
China – Chongming
China – Deep Water Bay
China – Shantou
China – Taipa
Taiwan – Fangshan
Taiwan – Toucheng
South Korea – Geoje
Japan – Okinawa
Philippines – Batangas
Myanmar – Pyapon
Sri Lanka – Mt. Lavinia
Thailand – Satun
India – Kochi
India – Mumbai
Indonesia – Ancol
Indonesia – Medan
Singapore – Tuas
Malaysia – Mersing
Malaysia – Penang
Oman – Muscat
Pakistan – Karachi
Djibouti – Djibouti City
Egypt – Alexandria
Egypt – Suez
Saudi Arabia – Jeddah
United Arab Emirates – Fujairah
Cyprus – Yeroskipos
Turkey – Marmaris
Greece – Chania
Italy – Mazara del Vallo
France – Penmarch
Morocco – Tétouan
Portugal – Sesimbra
Belgium – Ostend
United Kingdom – Goonhilly Downs