Submarine cable SMW-6 (SEA-ME-WE 6)
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Technology & capacity
SMW-6 uses state-of-the-art fiber optic technology and is designed for a capacity of up to 100 Tbit/s, thus exceeding the capacity of its predecessor SMW-5 many times over and securing the growing bandwidth requirements on the Asia-Europe route in the long term. Essentially, these are the technological features:
- SDM (Space Division Multiplexing): SMW-6 uses the latest SDM technology, which enables a significantly higher capacity per cable than older systems in the SEA-ME-WE family.
- Open Cable Design: The open cable system enables consortium partners to use their own transmission technology and flexibly scale capacity.
- The latest generation of fibre optic technology for minimal signal loss and optimized latency on the entire Asia-Europe route.
Provider Overview
SAVECALL as access to SMW-6
SMW-6, the latest and highest capacity system in the SEA-ME-WE family, is the most future-oriented option for companies with high bandwidth requirements on the Asia-Europe route. With a capacity of up to 100 Tbit/s and state-of-the-art SDM design, SMW-6 will play a key role in the digital connection between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe in the long term and serve the constantly growing data traffic on this route. For companies already using capacity on SMW-4 or SMW-5, SMW-6 offers an ideal complement for true redundancy and capacity scaling on the same strategic route. This is exactly where SAVECALL comes in. We have direct access to the market, analyze your connectivity strategy and source capacity on SMW-6 specifically for your requirements.
The result for our customers:
- Direct capacity access to SMW-6 without reseller chains
- Transparent price benchmarking and market data
- Future-proof capacity of up to 100 Tbit/s on the Asia-Europe route
- Negotiation of IRU structures and leased capacity models
- Clear SLAs and ongoing capacity management
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Why
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Frequently asked questions about the SMW-6 cable
SMW-6 (SEA-ME-WE 6) connects Singapore in the east with Marseille in France in the west, crossing the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Along the route there are 17 landing points in around 15 countries, including Malaysia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This makes SMW-6 one of the most important trade routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The cable is designed for a capacity of up to 100 Tbit/s using state-of-the-art SDM technology across 10 fibre pairs. This makes SMW-6 many times more powerful than its predecessor SMW-5. Some industry sources cite a higher design capacity of 126 Tbit/s or more, the final figure depends on the consortium’s completed build-out stage.
SMW-6 is currently in its final construction phase, with entry into service expected in the first quarter of 2026. It is operated by a 16-member consortium of international carriers, including Orange, Telecom Egypt, Bharti Airtel, Singtel, Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobily and Batelco. As an open cable system, consortium partners can deploy their own transmission technology and scale capacity flexibly.
All three systems connect Asia to Europe via the Middle East, but they differ significantly. SMW-6 offers state-of-the-art SDM technology and direct integration with the existing SEA-ME-WE network. AAE-1 has been established since 2017 and has been upgraded several times. PEACE Cable offers the highest segment capacity on the Mediterranean leg plus an additional branch to Kenya. The right choice depends on location, budget and redundancy strategy.
True redundancy only exists when capacity sits on physically separate cable systems and landing points. Companies already using SMW-4 or SMW-5 sensibly complement their connectivity with SMW-6, AAE-1 or PEACE Cable on a different route and path. This keeps the connection intact even if a cable is damaged or a landing point is disrupted. SAVECALL analyzes your existing connectivity strategy and identifies the right complement.
SAVECALL has direct market access to SMW-6 and the relevant consortium partners and sources capacity specifically for your requirements without reseller chains. We handle the analysis of your connectivity strategy, price benchmarking and the negotiation of IRU structures or leased capacity models. Book a free consultation to discuss your requirements and the right capacity on SMW-6.
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