NEC to Supply East Micronesia Cable System, Funded by Japan, Australia and US

NEC Corporation (NEC) announced the signing of supply contract with FSM Telecommunications Cable Corporation (FSMTCC), based in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), BwebwerikiNet Limited (BNL) of the Republic of Kiribati, and Nauru Fibre Cable Corporation (NFCC) of the Republic of Nauru for construction, supply and installation of the East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS), which will connect four islands amongst FSM (Pohnpei and Kosrae), Kiribati (Tarawa) and Nauru with a total length of approximately 2,250km and a large-capacity optical fibre submarine cable. The EMCS project is funded by the Governments of Australia, Japan and the United States.

The East Micronesia Cable System will:

• Comprise a main trunk cable connecting Tarawa to Pohnpei with branches to Nauru and Kosrae. 
• land at the existing HANTRU-1 cable landing point located in Pohnpei, FSM, with onward connectivity to Guam and the rest of the world.
• Provide optical transmission through a Single Fibre Pair with Spectrum Sharing between the countries, and an initial provisioned channel capacity of 100Gbps per country. (The system will be capable of 10 Tbps.)
• Connect into the existing Chuuk-Pohnpei Cable System, eliminating the need for an additional landing site in Pohnpei and adding resilience to the Chuuk-Pohnpei Cable System.

The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) is jointly owned and operated by FSM Telecommunications Cable Corporation (FSMTCC), based in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), BwebwerikiNet Limited (BNL) of the Republic of Kiribati, and Nauru Fibre Cable Corporation (NFCC) of the Republic of Nauru.

The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) is the first submarine cable connection for the islands of Tarawa (Kiribati), Nauru and the state of Kosrae (FSM).

Gordon Segal, Chief Executive Officer of FSMTCC and Chairman of the EMCS Management Committee, said “Kosrae is the only state in FSM that remains without a submarine cable connection. This project will support equal access to digital connectivity across all four states of FSM and greatly enhance our ability to access information and essential services. We thank all our project partners for their support and collaboration.“ 

Ioane Koroivuki, Chief Executive Officer of BNL, said “We are pleased to recognise this occasion, and what it means for Kiribati and the Micronesian region. BNL looks forward to bringing this project to fruition alongside our EMCS partners, NEC Corporation, and friends of the Pacific."

Jay Udit, acting Chief Executive Officer of NFCC and Secretary for Justice and Border Control, Government of Nauru, said “The proposed submarine cable is a first for Nauru, and is a life-line for the future of our communications system which promises great benefits for Nauru and its people. We are excited to have entered into an agreement with a very experienced and industry-leading corporation, NEC, for the construction, supply and installation of the submarine cable. Equally, we are pleased to partner with the donor agencies and two of our Micronesian partner countries, FSM and Kiribati. We look forward to seeing the completion of the submarine project."

The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) is supplied by NEC.

The EMCS project costs approximately USD95 million (AUD$135 million equivalent), 100% grant funded by the Governments of Australia, Japan and the United States.

The Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and Nauru (the EMC Countries) have accepted funding support from the Governments of Australia, Japan and the United States (the Development Partners) to deliver the East Micronesia Cable project. The Development Partners will collaborate with the EMC Countries to ensure a fit-for-purpose submarine cable provides essential and improved telecommunications connectivity. Australia, via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), is taking the lead role in funding and coordination arrangements. The AIFFP has contracted nem Australasia Pty Ltd as the Project Coordination Unit to support the EMC Countries facilitate management of the overall project. The Project Coordination Unit comprises a team of specialists covering technical, legal, administrative, and environmental/social requirements of the East Micronesia Cable project.

EMCS will ensure high-speed, high-quality, reliable, and more secure communications for residents, businesses and governments in the region, as well as contribute to improved digital connectivity and further economic development.