Telkom Indonesia, through its subsidiary PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), has launched a new Cable Landing Station (CLS) in Kalasey, Minahasa, North Sulawesi, or  the Manado-Minahasa CLS, which serves as one of the primary landing points for the Bifrost subsea cable system, an infrastructure project developed in collaboration with Keppel and Meta.

The Bifrost system provides a direct connection between Southeast Asia and North America, traversing key maritime routes such as the Java Sea and Sulawesi Sea. This strategic network strengthens Indonesia’s role within the international data traffic ecosystem.

Planning for the Bifrost project began in 2021. After finalizing the location and holding a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2024, the cable made successful landfalls in Jakarta and Minahasa in early 2025. The newly completed Minahasa facility is now operational and integrated into Telkom’s national network.

Telkom’s Director of Wholesale & International Service, Honesti Basyir, emphasized that the CLS is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand network capacity and accommodate surging international data traffic.

“With direct trans-Pacific access via Bifrost and readiness for future international cables, we are laying a solid foundation for connectivity, innovation, and long-term economic growth,” Basyir said as quoted in a statement on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Telin CEO Budi Satria Dharma Purba added that the Manado-Minahasa CLS is designed to support multiple cable systems. The station is equipped with a Beach Man Hole (BMH) and front-haul network infrastructure to facilitate operations and potential future expansions.

“By supporting Bifrost and other upcoming systems, we’re expanding connectivity, driving innovation, and unlocking economic opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region,” Budi said.

The Bifrost initiative is part of a cross-border, multi-sector collaboration aimed at meeting the rising global connectivity demands. The system also provides alternative data routes to enhance the resilience of international networks.