Fujitsu joins subsea cable bid

Telecommunications major Fujitsu has been seconded to help advance the latest bid to build a subsea cable link from Perth to Singapore.

Fledging company Trident Subsea Cable has signed Fujitsu as a strategic partner - adding more weight to its proposal for a $400 million project connecting Perth to Singapore, via Jakarta, as well as building a cable to the Pilbara.

The memorandum of understanding signed sets Fujitsu up as the head contractor for the project, with the possibility that certain elements of the buidling work will be contracted to other parties.

The value of the agreement has not been announced.

Trident was formed with a specific intent to build the next subsea cable link to South-East Asia, and has received financial commitments of about $320 million from Chinese company The Beijing Construction and Engineering Group.

Trident chief executive Mark de Kock told Business News negotiations were under way with private investors considering stumping up the remaining amount needed to fund the project.

He said the core of the project should be completed by April 2015.