Level 3 Communications Inc., a US communications firm, on Monday announced that it plans to build a high-speed, broadband undersea cable system connecting Hong Kong and Tokyo to provide low-cost bandwidth to Internet users.

The cable system, scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2001, will initially run at 320 gigabits per second, more than eight times the combined existing undersea capacity to and from Hong Kong, Level 3 Communications said.

The system can be expanded to 2.56 terabits as demand increases, the company said.

The Hong Kong-Japan cable will greatly increase the supply of low-cost bandwidth between Hong Kong and Tokyo, according to Level3 Asia chief executive Steve Liddel.

He said they expect a significant increase in the growth of existing web-based industries in both Japan and Hong Kong, adding that "the cable will also be a key driver in enabling Hong Kong to become a regional Internet hub."

Level 3 Communications has secured gateway sites in Hong Kong and Japan.