National Optical Cable System

The national optical cable belongs to the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) and the Backbone Optical Cable network connecting China's major computing power hubs.OverviewThe national optical cable serves as a key infrastructure for the National Integrated Computing Power Network, forming the backbone of China's data transmission system . It is designed to support the East Data, West Computing Project and the broader Computing Power Network, ensuring high-speed connectivity between major computing hubs across the country .Network StructureThe network interconnects the Eight Major National Computing Power Hubs, along with ten national computing power clusters and three coordinated development regions, forming an “Eight Plus Ten Plus Three” spatial layout .By the end of 2025, 145 Backbone Optical Cable lines had been constructed, reducing network latency between provinces and computing hubs to within 20 milliseconds .The cables are laid along high-speed railway lines to optimize data transmission efficiency and reliability .Technical SpecificationsThe network uses G.654.E optical fiber, which offers ultra-low loss and ultra-large capacity, supporting 400G, 800G, and future higher-rate transmission systems .The NOFN ensures that all service providers, including telecommunications, internet, and cable operators, have equal access, enabling services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in remote areas .Purpose and SignificanceThe national optical cable network is the main artery of China's information and communication infrastructure, providing a high-capacity, low-latency channel for data transmission. It underpins the country's computing power strategy, facilitates the integration of regional data centers, and supports the growing demand for cloud computing, AI, and other data-intensive applications . In summary, the national optical cable is part of the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) and the Backbone Optical Cable system, forming the core of China's national computing and communication infrastructure.