The cable system will be commercially operational by mid-2026
The 21,700 km SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable connects Singapore and France via key points across Asia and the Middle East.
Sri Lanka has achieved a breakthrough in its telecommunications infrastructure as SLT-Mobitel successfully launched the Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6 (SEA-ME-WE 6) submarine cable in Matara on 29 December.

Accordingly, the cable system will be commercially operational by mid-2026.

The Matara landing was completed in collaboration with US-based Subcom LLC and legally signed an agreement with the SEA-ME-WE 6 Consortium including Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in global connectivity.

The 21,700 km SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable connects Singapore and France via key points across Asia and the Middle East. Built with advanced fiber optic technology, it delivers 130 Tbps of high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

As a Consortium partner, joining the SLT network will enhance Sri Lanka’s global digital infrastructure and meet growing connectivity demands across Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.

“The achievement of landing SEA-ME-WE 6 represents a significant step forward in SLT-Mobitel’s mission to improve Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure and global connectivity capabilities,” SLT said in a statement.
The agency emphasized that environmental sustainability remains a priority throughout the project. SLT-Mobitel confirmed that it worked closely with government departments and local authorities to secure an environmentally friendly landing route.

The sea route was carefully selected after extensive environmental assessments and strict adherence to maritime safety policies,” the company said, adding that it leveraged existing infrastructure to minimize environmental impact while connecting the submarine cable to the Matara landing site.