SK Broadband signs MOU with LS Marine Solution to strengthen submarine cable operations

SK Broadband is moving to strengthen its capacity to operate submarine cables connecting countries across Asia.

The company announced Wednesday that it has signed an MOU with LS Marine Solution, a specialist in submarine cable construction, to ensure the stable operation of its SJC2 (Southeast Asia-Japan Cable 2) submarine cable, which links South Korea, Japan, Singapore and other countries in the region.

Under the agreement, the two companies will maintain a standing rapid-response fleet and specialized equipment system. They also plan to put in place a framework for standardizing technical data and recovery strategies in advance.

SK Broadband said the partnership would allow it to seamlessly coordinate the entire recovery process — from dispatching crews to the scene to raising, splicing and precisely re-burying damaged cables — significantly cutting restoration time when faults occur.

The companies will particularly focus on proactive management of shallow coastal waters off Busan — a stretch considered especially vulnerable to cable faults. Large vessels cannot easily access the area, making it a critical segment that demands advanced marine expertise and rapid on-site response when problems arise.

SK Broadband will contribute its accumulated line-analysis data and network monitoring capabilities. LS Marine Solution will take the lead on emergency field operations, drawing on its experience running specialized work vessels and its team of professional diving and construction engineers.

"The SJC2 submarine cable is a global data network hub connecting Asia and South Korea," said Seong Jin-su, head of SK Broadband's network center. "Through this partnership, we will reinforce the stability of the coastal segment and deliver the best possible service to our diverse customers."

Meanwhile, SK Broadband's SJC2 cable stretches approximately 10,500 kilometers in total. The international submarine cable connects major digital hubs across 10 locations in seven Asian countries — including South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong — and began commercial service in July 2025.