Seminar on 'The Frontline and Future Vision of Submarine Cables' to be Held on August 19, 2026, Featuring Speakers from PwC Consulting, NEC, and NICT

[Seminar Details]

[PwC/NEC/NICT] The Frontline and Future Vision of Submarine Cables

Shin-Shakai System Sogo Kenkyujo (New Social System Comprehensive Research Institute) is disseminating cutting-edge ICT information under a business contract with the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Original Comprehensive Intelligent Communication System Fund (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Kenjin Hara).

[Speakers] PwC Consulting LLC, PwC Intelligence Manager Hiroshi Enomoto NEC Corporation, Marine Systems Business Division, Business Development Headquarters, Business Strategy Group Director Osamu Murakami National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Network Research Institute Photonic ICT Research Center, Photonic Network Research Room Director Hideaki Furukawa

[Date and Time] August 19, 2026 (Wednesday), 1:30 PM - 4:40 PM

[Attendance Methods] ■ On-site Attendance SSK Seminar Room 4F, Zaimaax Nishishimbashi Building, 2-6-2 Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo ■ Live Streaming (Zoom Webinar) ■ Archive Streaming (Available for two weeks, viewable at your convenience)

[Key Lecture Contents] <1> Changes in the Environment Surrounding Submarine Cables in an Uncertain International Society Hiroshi Enomoto [13:30-14:35] The international society is experiencing fragmentation in geopolitics and supply chains, leading to high uncertainty and an unclear future. Meanwhile, the importance of submarine cables, a core infrastructure of society, is increasing due to technological advancements and changing industrial structures. How will the complex geopolitical risks, which are becoming more complicated due to changes in the macro international environment, affect the environment surrounding submarine cables? We will organize the current situation based on the latest developments and consider future prospects. 1. Increasing uncertainty in the international society and complex geopolitical risks 2. The increasing importance of submarine cables due to changes in industrial structures 3. Trends in the international society surrounding submarine cables 4. The impact of changes in the macro environment on submarine cables 5. Q&A/Business Card Exchange

<2> The Rise of Hyperscalers and the Evolution of International Communication Infrastructure ~ Latest Trends in Submarine Cable Systems Responding to Changing Demand Structures~ Osamu Murakami [14:45-15:50] Submarine cables, which handle 99% of international communications, are experiencing unprecedented demand growth due to the rise of hyperscalers driven by the spread of AI. In this lecture, we will explain the latest market trends and present major challenges facing submarine cables, including economic security and geopolitical risks associated with international situations, as well as natural disasters. Based on NEC's insights, we will discuss how to maintain a robust and stable network in response to these external risks that infrastructure, the lifeline of modern society, is facing. 1. Overview of the submarine cable business and NEC's market position 2. Construction and laying process of submarine cable systems 3. Changes in the communication market and the latest technology and route trends 4. Major risks surrounding submarine cables and future prospects 5. Q&A/Business Card Exchange

<3> High-Capacity Optical Fiber Transmission and Optical Fiber Sensing for Future Submarine Cables Hideaki Furukawa [16:00-16:40] Submarine cables, which handle approximately 99% of international communications, are becoming increasingly important as social infrastructure. To cope with the increase in traffic due to the spread of AI, it is urgent to achieve higher capacity. We will outline the latest research and development trends in new high-capacity optical fiber transmission technologies that exceed the limits of existing optical communication systems based on single-mode optical fibers, and introduce optical fiber sensing technologies that are essential for protecting submarine cables. 1. Current status of submarine cables and challenges for the future 2. Capacity limits of single-mode optical fiber-based optical communication systems 3. Latest research and development trends in high-capacity optical fiber transmission technology using multi-core optical fibers 4. Importance of optical fiber sensing technology for protecting submarine cables 5. Q&A/Business Card Exchange

[Secretariat] Shin-Shakai System Sogo Kenkyujo (New Social System Comprehensive Research Institute) 4F, Zaimaax Nishishimbashi Building, 2-6-2 Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Email: [email protected] TEL: 03-5532-8850 FAX: 03-5532-8851 URL: https://www.ssk21.co.jp

[About Shin-Shakai System Sogo Kenkyujo (SSK)] Shin-Shakai System Sogo Kenkyujo (SSK) was established on December 6, 1996, and has been providing information services mainly through corporate business seminars, planning and hosting approximately 500 seminars annually for over 28 years. SSK seminars aim to quickly provide high-level management strategy information, marketing information, technology information, and other information in a diverse business environment, contributing to the creation of business opportunities. In addition to seminar business, SSK operates various businesses, providing information and services necessary for the success and expansion of customers' businesses, such as seminar planning and operation agency services, lecturer dispatch, BtoB advertising, commissioned surveys, market research report sales, and seminar on-demand sales. SSK will continue to be a strategic partner for our customers by always disseminating cutting-edge information.