USTDA Supports SCNX-3 Submarine Cable Feasibility with APTelecom

By SubTel Forum Staff
January 19, 2026

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has signed a grant agreement to support the feasibility study for the SCNX-3 submarine cable system, a new digital infrastructure project that will connect Chennai, India, to Singapore, with onward connectivity across Southeast Asia.

The grant signing ceremony took place during PTC ’26 in Honolulu, bringing together representatives from USTDA, project developer SubConnex, and feasibility study partner APTelecom. The study will assess the technical, financial, and commercial viability of the proposed cable, which is designed to strengthen trusted connectivity across key data-center hubs in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Danielle Agress, Senior Indo-Pacific Manager at USTDA, emphasized the agency’s role in supporting early-stage project preparation for strategic infrastructure overseas. She noted that digital infrastructure, particularly subsea cable development, is a priority sector for USTDA and the broader U.S. government, both to enhance regional connectivity and to ensure U.S. companies can compete for commercial opportunities abroad.

The SCNX-3 system represents the first phase of SubConnex’s broader vision to improve integrated network connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia. According to Simon, Founder and CEO of SubConnex, the project will create an independent link between India and Singapore, with planned connectivity into Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, addressing a long-standing gap in regional digital infrastructure.

The feasibility study will be carried out by APTelecom, which has partnered with USTDA on multiple subsea cable projects globally. Eric Handa, CEO and Co-Founder of APTelecom, highlighted USTDA’s continued leadership in advancing trusted submarine cable systems, noting that the agency has supported more than $10.5 million in subsea cable project preparation worldwide. He also underscored the importance of trusted networks in ensuring secure, resilient connectivity as new systems are deployed across the Indo-Pacific.

Once completed, the SCNX-3 feasibility study is expected to position the project to advance toward financing and implementation, contributing to increased capacity, resilience, and trusted connectivity across one of the world’s fastest-growing digital corridors.