Overview
- Papua New Guinea announced a US$120 million plan for Google to build three subsea cables linking the country’s north, south and Bougainville, financed by Australia.
- The Pukpuk Treaty framework covers the project and gives Australian defence personnel access to PNG communications systems including satellite stations and cables.
- PNG acting ICT minister Peter Tsiamalili met Australian and U.S. diplomats at Google’s Australian office this week to discuss the rollout.
- The new links are intended to reduce single points of failure and interconnect with PNG DataCo’s backbone to draw hyperscaler and global digital investment.
- Australia’s foreign affairs department says the build will lower internet prices and widen education opportunities, as Google also advances a Christmas Island hub and new routes to strengthen regional resilience.