The International System Final Splice

Preparing the cable for the final splice. (Credit: Vocus)

The Coral Sea Cable System between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands has been completed with the final splice taking place on Friday, 27 September 2019.

At the end of August, the Coral Sea Cable was landed at Tamarama Beach - Sydney and connected to power and transmission equipment and Australia’s broader telecommunications network at the nearby cable landing station. Since then, the cable laying vessel, the Ile de Brehat, has returned to sea to lay the final segment of the international cable.

The final splice saw the cable from Tamarama beach connected to the main cable laid from Port Moresby and Honiara, at a point about 180km offshore from Australia. A regime of testing and training will now commence to ensure operational readiness.

The final splice marks a key milestone in project delivery, with the Coral Sea Cable System on target to be completed by December 2019.

The Ile de Brehat will shortly head to Honiara to commence laying the Solomon Islands Domestic Network – linking Honiara with the key provincial hubs of Auki, Noro and Taro.

Testing the fibres during the final splice. (Credit: Vocus)

Completion of the final fibre splice. (Credit: Vocus)

Adding protection to the final splice joint. (Credit: Vocus)

Final splice heading overboard the Ile de Brehat. (Credit: Vocus)

Preparing the bight (slack) around the final splice. (Credit: Vocus)