USTDA Supports Trusted Thailand-U.S. Subsea Cable Link

Bangkok, Thailand - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced funding today for a feasibility study to develop a trusted trans-Pacific submarine cable system that connects Thailand, through neighboring countries, to the United States, strengthening secure digital connectivity across Southeast Asia. The study will help National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT), Thailand's state-owned telecommunications company, assess the viability of the Thailand-U.S. Submarine Cable System (THUS), a project designed to replace Thailand's aging subsea cable connection to the United States with a modern system built on trusted technology standards.

"This activity will help ensure that the critical infrastructure connecting Thailand to the United States is built using trusted technology, protecting sensitive data from exploitation while advancing Thailand's ambitions to become a regional digital hub," said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA's Deputy Director. "By supporting the deployment of secure subsea cable systems, we are helping safeguard networks while opening new opportunities for U.S. companies to compete in one of the world's fastest-growing digital markets."

NT has selected Florida-based APTelecom LLC to conduct the study, which will assess the commercial, technical, financial, and regulatory viability of THUS, a cable system up to 11,500 miles long. The study will include route design, economic analysis, commercialization planning, and regulatory review, and will strengthen the project's ability to mobilize financing for implementation. By aligning THUS's technical specifications with U.S. engineering standards, the study will generate opportunities for U.S. companies to export trusted hardware, software, and installation services for the project.

THUS is envisioned to connect Thailand to the United States through up to five other Southeast Asian countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam - while avoiding the South China Sea and other routes that carry security risks. By adopting an open-access model that makes capacity available to a wide range of customers on a fair and transparent basis, THUS would expand affordable, reliable connectivity for a regional market of more than 600 million people. Ultimately, the new cable will reinforce Thailand's position as a digital infrastructure hub and support the continued growth of its data center and cloud computing sectors.

"THUS is a strategic investment in Thailand's digital future. A modern, trusted, open-access submarine cable system connecting Thailand directly with the United States will strengthen the resilience and diversity of our international networks, support the growth of Thailand's data center, cloud, and AI sectors, and expand affordable connectivity for a regional market of more than 600 million people," said Colonel Sanpachai Huvanandana, President of National Telecom Public Company Limited. "USTDA's support comes at a pivotal moment. By funding the upfront feasibility work, this grant accelerates THUS toward bankability and opens the door to collaboration with leading American technology providers, whose innovation and engineering expertise we look forward to bringing into the project."

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government's first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.

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