Chunghwa Telecom announces its investment in the new E2A submarine cable system, a trans-Pacific fiber-optic network spanning approximately 12,500 kilometers. The system will be jointly developed by Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), SK Broadband (SKB) of Korea, SoftBank of Japan, and Verizon of the United States. Built with state-of-the-art technology, E2A will significantly enhance digital connectivity between Asia and North America upon completion.
With the surge in demand driven by AI cloud computing, data processing and next-gen mobile networks, the need for ultra-high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure has never been greater. The construction of E2A marks a significant advancement in global communications technology, offering unprecedented performance, scalability, and reliability. It integrates sustainable design principles to enable more efficient and environmentally friendly data transmission.
Crossing the Pacific Ocean, the E2A cable system will connect major digital hubs in Asia and North America, with landings in Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea), Maruyama (Chiba, Japan), and Morro Bay (California, USA), providing a robust backbone for AI applications, data centers, and cloud services, ensuring high-speed connectivity across the Pacific as well as intra-Asia.
The E2A submarine cable, crossing the Pacific Ocean, will soon be able to interconnect with other upcoming Asian cables, such as the SJC2 and Apricot, in Taiwan, enabling diverse connectivity options. This will strengthen Taiwan’s position as a key submarine cable hub in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to meeting the growing demand for network services, it will further enhance overall network resilience. Additionally, Chunghwa Telecom will leverage a diverse portfolio of submarine cable solutions to offer multiple routing options between Asia and the U.S., ensuring a more comprehensive global network strategy to meet evolving customer needs. The E2A submarine cable system is scheduled to be ready for service (RFS) in the second half of 2028, significantly enhancing digital capacity and connectivity across the Pacific region.
The E2A Consortium brings together leading global telecommunications players reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding and enhancing regional and global digital infrastructure. Chunghwa Telecom Chairman, Chih-Cheng Chien, expressed great anticipation for the E2A cable system and stated, “Chunghwa Telecom will continue to enhance its resilient network infrastructure by integrating submarine cables, fiber optics, mobile communications, satellites, and microwave technologies—forming a comprehensive 'Sea, Land, Sky, and Space' network. Leveraging Taiwan’s strategic position as an Asia-Pacific information hub, we aim to attract international operators to establish a presence in Taiwan, further advancing AI-driven innovations and co-creation services to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
About E2A Consortium
The Consortium comprising Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (“CHT”), SK Broadband Co. Ltd. ("SKB"), SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), and Verizon Business Global LLC (“Verizon”).
About Chunghwa Telecom (CHT)
Chunghwa Telecom is the largest integrated telecommunications operator in Taiwan. Its main businesses include fixed-line communication, mobile communication, and broadband access and internet services. The company also provides ICT services to enterprise customers using its resources in big data, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and network data centers. Moreover, it is developing emerging technology services such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a high-quality communication environment and an exciting and convenient digital life for its customers. Chunghwa Telecom is also actively promoting globalization by developing partnerships with international telecommunications operators.
