Microsoft and Lightstorm Lead New India–Southeast Asia Undersea Cable Project
Microsoft is partnering with Lightstorm to build a new undersea cable connecting India with Southeast Asia.
Aditya Raj
July 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Microsoft partnered with Lightstorm to build the Indo-Pacific Express undersea cable connecting India to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand with 192 Tbps capacity to support surging cloud and AI demand.
Microsoft has announced a strategic partnership with Lightstorm, a global connectivity platform, to build a new undersea cable system connecting India with key markets in Southeast Asia. The project, named “Indo-Pacific Express,” aims to meet the surging demand for cloud and AI services in the region.
The cable will span over 8,000 kilometers, linking Mumbai and Chennai in India to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. With an initial design capacity of 192 terabits per second, it will be one of the highest-capacity submarine cables serving the region. The project is expected to be operational by early 2028.
| Segment | Distance | Capacity | Target Completion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India–Singapore | 3 | 800 km | 72 Tbps | 2027 |
| India–Malaysia | 2 | 900 km | 72 Tbps | 2027 |
| Singapore–Thailand | 1 | 200 km | 48 Tbps | 2028 |
The investment comes as Microsoft continues to expand its global network infrastructure to support its Azure cloud platform and AI services. Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing cloud markets, driven by digital transformation initiatives across finance, manufacturing, and government sectors.
Lightstorm will serve as the design, procurement, and construction partner, bringing expertise from previous large-scale subsea projects. The cable will feature advanced spatial division multiplexing technology, allowing for future capacity upgrades without laying new fiber. Microsoft will have exclusive access to a significant portion of the cable's capacity for its Azure and Microsoft 365 services.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Microsoft and Lightstorm are building the Indo-Pacific Express cable connecting India to Southeast Asia
- 2 The cable spans 8,000 km with 192 Tbps initial design capacity
- 3 Links Mumbai, Chennai, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand
- 4 Microsoft will use a significant portion for Azure and Microsoft 365
- 5 Expected operational by early 2028 with potential for future capacity upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions
What route will the Indo-Pacific Express cable take?
The cable will connect Mumbai and Chennai in India to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, spanning over 8,000 kilometers.
Why is Microsoft investing in another undersea cable?
Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing cloud markets, and Microsoft needs additional network capacity to support its Azure platform and growing AI services demand.
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