Google and Facebook Invest in PLCN Cable Connecting Hong Kong and Los Angeles

Google announced on Wednesday in a blog post that Google will work with Facebook, Pacific Light Data Communication (PLDC) and TE SubCom to build the first direct submarine cable system between Los Angeles and Hong Kong with ultra high-capacity, the Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN). TE SubCom also announced on the same day that they will co-build the Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN). PLCN is scheduled for commercial service in 2018. 

The Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN) spans 12,800 km, with 5 fiber pairs and an estimated cable capacity of 120 Tbps, making it the highest-capacity trans-Pacific route, exceeding FASTER's 60 Tbps and NCP's about 80 Tbps. 

PLCN will include TE SubCom’s C+L technology, a major step forward in available cable transmission capacity that effectively doubles the available bandwidth and capacity per fiber pair over a traditional C-band-only designed system, capable of equipping 240 channels of 100Gbps in a single fiber pair. 

PLCN is initiated by Pacific Light Data Communication Co., Limited (PLDC), a new company located in Hong Kong. PLDC is set to become a leading regional broadband communications service provider by building and operating the first subsea cable directly connecting Hong Kong and the US. PLDC will offer highly reliable, comprehensive end-to-end solutions bringing together state-of-the-art technologies, to support our customers with instant access to the world.