China begins laying new trans-Pacific fibre optic cable to US

China has begun laying a $500 million fibre optic cable to the United States that will be vital in meeting booming Internet traffic between the two nations, state press reported yesterday.

The “Trans Pacific Express” cable will directly link China with South Korea, Taiwan and the United States, greatly increasing Internet speeds between the regions, the China Daily said.

Work laying the cable began in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao on Monday, with completion of the trans-oceanic line scheduled for July next year, the paper said.

The terminus of the cable, that will also be able to transmit high definition television signals during the Beijing 2008 Olympics, will be in Nedonna Beach, Oregon, it added.

Source: Media Network, AFP