Best Subsea Operator of the Year 2026
Winner
A new standard in
undersea networks
A new standard in
undersea networks
A new standard in undersea networks
Connecting the world through intelligent, self-aware subsea systems, SUBCO delivers low-latency, geographically diverse connectivity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Best Subsea Operator of the Year 2026
Winner
Configure your way
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Connect where you need to be, and scale as you grow.
Our Network
Secure networks,
designed for the future.
We build the cables. You build on them.
Engineered for resilience
Advanced armouring and redundancy for harsh subsea conditions.
Engineered for resilience
Advanced armouring and redundancy for harsh subsea conditions.
Engineered for resilience
Advanced armouring and redundancy for harsh subsea conditions.
Smart, strategic routes
Purpose-built paths that avoid congestion for lower risk and lower latency.
Smart, strategic routes
Purpose-built paths that avoid congestion for lower risk and lower latency.
Smart, strategic routes
Purpose-built paths that avoid congestion for lower risk and lower latency.
Intelligence-driven networks
FibreSense delivers real-time monitoring and embedded sensing for proactive network control and threat detection.
Intelligence-driven networks
FibreSense delivers real-time monitoring and embedded sensing for proactive network control and threat detection.
Intelligence-driven networks
FibreSense provides real-time monitoring for proactive network control and threat detection.
Full network transparency
Live service health, usage insights, and billing visibility in one platform.
Full network transparency
Live service health, usage insights, and billing visibility in one platform.
Full network transparency
Live service health, usage insights, and billing visibility in one platform.
Built for what’s next
Future-ready systems built to power cloud, content and AI, and the next wave of digital demand.
Built for what’s next
Future-ready systems built to power cloud, content and AI, and the next wave of digital demand.
Built for what’s next
Future-ready systems built to power cloud, content and AI, and the next wave of digital demand.
Customer focused
Designed, built, and operated by experienced subsea specialists.
Customer focused
Designed, built, and operated by experienced subsea specialists.
Customer focused
Designed, built, and operated by experienced subsea specialists.
Network Management
Real-time network transparency
with GLASS.
An intelligent network management portal, providing real-time visibility across our self-aware subsea systems - giving customers clarity, control and confidence.
Utilisation captured in real-time
Understand traffic behaviour, peak demand, and available headroom at every layer.
Utilisation captured in real-time
Understand traffic behaviour, peak demand, and available headroom at every layer.
Resolution tracking
Track any network issues, tickets and restoration timelines all in one place.
Resolution tracking
Track any network issues, tickets and restoration timelines all in one place.
Service management simplified
Manage services, bundling and more with GLASS.
Service management simplified
Manage services, bundling and more with GLASS.
Designated contacts
Role-based notifications ensure every team only sees what matters to them.
Designated contacts
Role-based notifications ensure every team only sees what matters to them.
Resolution Tracking
Track any network issues, tickets and restoration timelines all in one place
Testimonials
What they say about us.
Hear from some our customers about working with SUBCO.
We compiled a list of answers to address
your most pressing questions.
"SMAP gave us a good pathway with resiliency and capacity at a reasonable price."
"SMAP gave us a good pathway with resiliency and capacity at a reasonable price."
"SMAP gave us a good pathway with resiliency and capacity at a reasonable price."
News
Insights & Intelligence
Insights & Intelligence
The news, milestones and ideas driving what's next in connectivity.
FAQs
Questions?
We have answers.
What does SUBCO do?
SUBCO is a leading developer, owner and operator of next-generation submarine cable infrastructure. Since its founding in 2016, SUBCO has delivered some of the world's most innovative and strategically significant cable systems - including INDIGO West, INDIGO Central, the Oman Australia Cable (OAC), and SMAP, Australia's first fully armoured transcontinental submarine cable purpose-built for hyperscale and AI workloads. SMAP's Bernacchi-1 extension into Tasmania - the first new submarine capacity to the state in over 20 years - targets RFS in Q2 2027. APX East, a direct Australia–US express system, is currently in development with an RFS target of 2028.
Through this growing portfolio, SUBCO has played a pivotal role in expanding Australia's international connectivity, strengthening the nation's position as a major digital hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
What services does SUBCO offer?
SUBCO’s core offerings include a range of connectivity services between cities in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and beyond. Our customers achieve this connectivity via interconnecting their required endpoints through SUBCO’s owned and operated subsea fibre assets as well as third-party systems.
SUBCO also offers a range of products associated with its fibre assets, including Spectrum, OTN and Ethernet services, which cater to both small and intensive bandwidth requirements as well as various commercial constructs. This ultimately allows customers to lease capacity on a short-term basis or gain ownership economics over a longer period of time.
Who is SUBCO owned by?
SUBCO is an independently owned company that was founded by Australian tech entrepreneur Bevan Slattery in 2016. With a track record of transforming ideas into ASX-listed innovations – including Megaport, Superloop, NEXTDC and Pipe Networks – Bevan actively incubates a diverse portfolio of next-generation businesses that will forge a better future for Australia.
What is a submarine cable system and how does it work?
A submarine cable system is a network of fibre optic cables laid on the ocean floor, connecting different continents and countries to enable high-speed data transmission and communication. Using fibre optic technology (which transmits information as light pulses), these cable systems form the backbone of global internet connectivity and are essential for international telecommunications.
Why are undersea networks important?
Undersea cable networks are essential for global connectivity as they carry over 98% of international data traffic. They provide faster, more reliable and higher-capacity connections compared to satellite communication systems. Undersea cables also support various industries, including telecommunications, financial services, healthcare and media, by ensuring seamless data transmission across the world.
As the only continent with no physical connection to other landmasses, Australia in particular relies on undersea cables for its international communication needs. That’s why SUBCO is committed to delivering secure, low-latency and high-capacity submarine cable systems to Australia, including INDIGO West, INDIGO Central, the Oman Australia Cable (OAC), SMAP and the announced APX East.
How secure are undersea cables networks?
Underwater cable networks are designed with multiple layers of protection, including steel wire armour and specialised cable coatings, to withstand the harsh marine environments and potential external threats. SUBCO’s SMAP cable is Australia’s first fully armoured long-haul submarine cable system, enabling superior protection from damage and subsequent unplanned outages.
Across all its cable systems and projects, SUBCO employs various protection measures and monitoring systems to minimise the risk of cable damage and adhere to high-performance standards set out in service agreements, ensuring the security and reliability of our networks.
What are the environmental impacts of submarine cable deployment?
Submarine cables typically have minimal environmental impact, as they are carefully deployed to avoid the disturbance of marine ecosystems. Cable routes are purposefully mapped to circumnavigate sensitive areas and reduce potential harm to the environment, including marine flora and fauna. Modern cables are also designed to be energy-efficient, reducing the overall carbon footprint of global communications infrastructure.
Particularly noteworthy is SUBCO’s SMAP cable. It has been strategically designed to utilise 16 fibre pairs and Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, which will render the cable system 25 times more energy-efficient than all legacy terrestrial inter-capital submarine cable systems that currently exist along the same route.
What is the future of connectivity and submarine cable infrastructure in Australia?
Australia's demand for high-speed internet and robust communications infrastructure is only expected to surge - driven by the rapid growth of AI workloads, hyperscale data centres, and cloud computing alongside traditional bandwidth consumption. The planning and construction of new submarine cables – such as SMAP – will expand Australia’s undersea cable network, increasing capacity and redundancy as well as fostering digital inclusion among regional and remote communities. Advancements in cable technology, such as improved fibre optics and Space Division Multiplexing (SDM), will also contribute to the nation’s connectivity capabilities.
What does SUBCO do?
What services does SUBCO offer?
Who is SUBCO owned by?
What is a submarine cable system and how does it work?
Why are undersea networks important?
How secure are undersea cables networks?
What are the environmental impacts of submarine cable deployment?
What is the future of connectivity and submarine cable infrastructure in Australia?