Australia Funds $120M Google-Led Subsea Cable Project in Papua New Guinea
Australia is bankrolling a $120 million undersea cable network across Papua New Guinea, with Google spearheading the infrastructure rollout. The initiative will link northern PNG, southern PNG, and Bougainville—bolstering internet resilience while reducing reliance on single choke points.
The project falls under the Pukpuk Treaty, a defense pact allowing Australian oversight of PNG's communications. It serves dual purposes: upgrading digital infrastructure and countering China's expanding influence in the Pacific.
Peter Tsiamalili of PNG's government confirmed talks with Australian and U.S. officials at Google's Sydney offices. The high-capacity routes promise faster connectivity for businesses and consumers, creating openings for cloud providers and edge computing operators.
