02 September 2025
Telkom Indonesia’s international division, Telin, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysian engineering company ITCO Niaga to collaborate on planning and developing the Indonesia Cable Express II (ICE II) subsea cable system, now including landing stations in eastern Malaysia.
Launched in September 2023, Telin’s ICE programme aims to establish seven subsea cable systems connecting Indonesia to key regions including Japan, the US, the Middle East, Europe, and Australasia by 2028. Initially, ICE II was planned to link Singapore with Manado in North Sulawesi, with additional connections to Batam, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Balikpapan.
During the MoU signing at Telin’s BATIC 2025 conference in Bali, Telin revealed that ICE II will now extend to Tawau on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia, with further links planned for Sandakan, Kudat, and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. The extension aims to establish a new eastward route through Manado as an alternative to the South China Sea corridor, enhancing regional network resilience, reducing congestion risks, and supporting the rising demand for cloud services, digital applications, and enterprise connectivity across Southeast Asia.
“ICE II will not only deepen Indonesia-Singapore connectivity but also foster greater regional integration by extending connectivity into East Malaysia,” said Azmal Yahya, Product Chief at Telin.
Anita Aqeela Hiong, MD of ITCO Niaga, emphasised that ICE II will significantly strengthen Sabah’s digital infrastructure, stimulating investment, empowering local businesses, and improving internet access for communities: “our collaboration with Telin on ICE II is a strategic move toward Malaysia’s digital transformation, particularly for Sabah. Better connectivity will drive socio-economic growth, promote digital inclusivity, and boost regional competitiveness.”
This MoU follows a strategic partnership signed last year between Telin and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison to develop ICE II. Additionally, in July 2024, Telin announced a partnership with BW Digital to develop the Nongsa-Changi subsea cable system linking Batam and Changi via the Singapore Strait, supporting the broader ICE network. In February 2024, Telin also formed a consortium with Telecom Egypt and UAE-based e& Carrier & Wholesale Services to develop the ICE IV Project, connecting Indonesia and Singapore to India, Oman, Egypt, and the UAE.
