Rising 8: Strengthening Indonesia’s Digital Backbone with a High-Capacity Subsea Connection

Indonesia's digital landscape has just taken a massive leap forward. PT Ketrosden Triasmitra, Tbk (KETR) and PT Ekamas Mora Republik, Tbk (MORA), widely known as MoraRepublic, have officially announced the ceremonial operation of the Rising 8 Submarine Cable Communication System (SKKL). This milestone, celebrated by key players across the telecommunications industry, marks a significant upgrade in the reliability and capacity of the nation's digital infrastructure.

Following its successful deployment in May 2026, the Rising 8 system has cleared the rigorous testing and commissioning phases. Currently, the first segment—stretching from Jakarta to Batam—is fully operational and ready to serve the burgeoning connectivity needs of Digital Indonesia. The next phase of the project, which will extend the link from Batam to Singapore, is already on the horizon.

A Technical Marvel Beneath the Waves

The Rising 8 system is no small feat of engineering. Spanning a total of 1,128.5 kilometers, the subsea cable connects Tanjung Pakis in Jakarta to Tanjung Bemban in Batam, with a planned extension to Singapore. Unlike some simpler systems, Rising 8 utilizes advanced repeatered technology to ensure signal integrity over long distances.

The infrastructure is built using world-class components. The cables were manufactured by the Prysmian Group through their German plant, Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke GmbH (NSW), a giant in the industry with over 125 years of experience. These cables are integrated with high-quality repeaters designed to support a staggering minimum capacity of 400 Tbps. This makes it an ideal choice for telecommunications operators and enterprises that demand high-performance, high-capacity data paths.

Achieving Full Operational Independence

One of the most impressive aspects of the Rising 8 project is the level of local expertise involved. For the first time, Triasmitra handled the entire deployment process independently. This included everything from securing complex licensing and deploying specialized cable-laying vessels to utilizing their own team of expert personnel.

Titus Dondi Patria, President Director and CEO of PT Ketrosden Triasmitra, Tbk, expressed his pride in this achievement. He noted that the project is the culmination of years of meticulous planning and execution. He emphasized that the success of Rising 8 gives the company immense confidence in taking on future subsea deployment projects autonomously.

Integrating with a World-Class Data Ecosystem

Connectivity is only as good as the hubs it connects to. Rising 8 is strategically integrated with the MoraRepublic Nusantara Data Center (NDC) located in Tanjung Bemban, Batam. This facility boasts Tier-3 certification from the American National Standard Institute/Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/TIA), ensuring world-class reliability.

On the Jakarta side, the main landing point in Tanjung Pakis is equally robust. It features a Cable Landing Station and a Data Center owned by Triasmitra with Tier-3 concurrently maintainable specifications. This setup allows for critical infrastructure maintenance to be performed without any disruption to service continuity—a vital feature for mission-critical operations.

Redundancy and the Digital Economy

The Indonesia-Singapore corridor is one of the busiest digital traffic routes in Southeast Asia. The addition of Rising 8 provides a much-needed alternative route, offering network redundancy that is crucial for service continuity. For operators already using existing lines, Rising 8 serves as a vital backup or a tool for load sharing, significantly reducing the risk of downtime.

Timotius Max Sulaiman, President Director and CEO of PT Ekamas Mora Republik, Tbk, highlighted that this infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth. By improving the quality of connectivity, the project supports the government’s push for national digital transformation and ensures that digital access is more equitable across the region. This has a direct, sustainable impact on both local communities and large-scale businesses.

Who Stands to Benefit?

The target market for Rising 8 is broad, ranging from telecommunications operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to global content providers and cloud giants. It is also tailor-made for sectors with high bandwidth requirements, such as financial services and data center operators.

As Singapore remains a central regional hub for cloud infrastructure and data centers, the strategic value of this route cannot be overstated. For everyday users, the impact is just as tangible. With the massive capacity provided by Rising 8, activities like online banking, digital learning, e-commerce, and remote work will become smoother, with minimized risks of connectivity lag or outages. This project isn't just about laying cables; it's about building an inclusive and integrated digital ecosystem for Indonesia's future.