Behind AI, Cloud, and OTT: The Cables You Never See
When discussing digital transformation, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Over-the-Top (OTT) services, Cloud Computing, and Hyperscale Data Centers often come to mind. Behind the success of these technologies, however, lies a critical infrastructure that enables data to move seamlessly across countries and continents: the Submarine Cable System.
Today, more than 99% of international data traffic is carried over submarine cable networks, making them a fundamental component of the global digital economy. These networks support everything from cloud computing and financial transactions to the digital services we rely on every day.
AI and the Rapid Growth of Data Traffic
The rapid growth of Generative AI is driving increasing demand for compute resources, data centers, and network infrastructure. This spans the entire AI ecosystem—from data ingestion and cloud connectivity to the delivery of AI applications to users across different locations.
Many AI workloads rely on high-performance GPU infrastructure and data centers, while the data, applications, and computing resources involved may be distributed across different locations or even different countries. As a result, connectivity between data centers, cloud platforms, and end users has become a critical component of AI infrastructure.
For AI applications that require fast response times, such as Generative AI and AI assistants, network performance—including bandwidth and latency—can have a direct impact on overall application performance and user experience.
Cloud Computing and OTT Services: Enabling Borderless Connectivity
The rise of cloud computing means that data and applications no longer need to reside within a single enterprise environment. Instead, they may be distributed across data centers and cloud regions in multiple locations around the world.
From enterprise applications and collaboration platforms to data backup and multi-cloud environments, international connectivity plays a vital role in connecting enterprises, users, and cloud infrastructure.
At the same time, OTT and streaming platforms must support enormous volumes of content, including video streaming, live streaming, and cloud gaming.
Much of this content is distributed through Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which bring frequently accessed content closer to end users. Submarine cable networks, meanwhile, remain a critical part of the underlying infrastructure connecting networks and data centers across international borders.
Limitations in the capacity or performance of international connectivity can therefore affect the quality and overall user experience of digital services.
Hyperscale Data Center Growth in Thailand
To support the continued expansion of cloud services, AI, and the broader digital economy, global technology providers are increasing their investments in data center infrastructure across Southeast Asia, including Thailand.
According to Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI), data center projects submitted for investment promotion during the first half of 2025 represented a combined investment value of THB 521.2 billion across 28 projects, highlighting the rapid expansion of Thailand's digital infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Mordor Intelligence estimated the Thailand hyperscale data center market at approximately USD 3.38 billion in 2025 and projected it to reach USD 13.64 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.19%.
These investments require more than land, buildings, power infrastructure, and cooling systems. They also depend on robust domestic and international connectivity to connect data centers with cloud platforms, networks, enterprises, and users both within Thailand and around the world.
International Connectivity: The Infrastructure Behind the Digital Economy
As AI, cloud, OTT, and data center ecosystems continue to expand, the volume of data that must move between systems and across international borders will grow accordingly.
Submarine cable systems therefore serve as a fundamental component of international connectivity, connecting Thailand to the broader digital ecosystems of Southeast Asia and the global economy.
For SYMPHONY, the continued development of the MCT Submarine Cable System, which connects Thailand to international networks, forms part of the company's infrastructure strategy to support growing data traffic generated by cloud services, OTT platforms, data centers, and AI applications.
The development of submarine cable infrastructure is therefore about much more than increasing “Internet speed.” It is about building the digital infrastructure required to move data efficiently across international borders and establishing a strong foundation for the long-term growth of Thailand's digital economy.
