Lightstorm Secures $262M for I-2SEA Cable

Jason Ma, Data Center Dynamics
August 11, 2026

Singapore-based connectivity provider Lightstorm has secured Rs 25 billion ($262m) in funding for the I-2SEA subsea cable, marking a key financing milestone for the planned India-Malaysia-Singapore system. The debt facility is led by India-based IndusInd Bank, according to Lightstorm’s August 11 announcement.

The 3600km I-2SEA system was announced by Lightstorm in July and is designed to link India’s east coast with Southeast Asia. The route will connect Hyderabad and Chennai to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with two Indian cable landings planned at Machilipatnam and South Chennai. Lightstorm estimates the route at about 2236 miles.

I-2SEA is being developed through a consortium and joint-build agreement involving Lightstorm, Microsoft, Singtel and Tata Communications. NEC is the system supplier, while ASEAN Cableship is the marine installation partner. The combination brings together network owners, capacity users, system manufacturing and marine installation roles within the same project structure.

The cable is targeted at hyperscalers, GPU infrastructure providers and enterprises running AI training and inference workloads. Those customers are expected to use the planned international route between India’s major technology markets and regional hubs in Malaysia and Singapore.

Lightstorm has previously indicated that I-2SEA is targeted to be Ready for Service in the fourth quarter of 2029. The financing announcement advances the project beyond its July unveiling, while the published update does not revise the route, supplier team or service target.

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