Google to Build Three Subsea Cables in Papua New Guinea

Google will build three subsea cables in Papua New Guinea as part of plans to upgrade the digital backbone of the biggest Pacific Island nation. The build-out of the subsea cables will be funded by Australia under a mutual defense treaty, confirmed the Papua New Guinea government.

"The entire investment (is) funded through Australia's commitments under the Pukpuk Treaty," said Peter Tsiamalili, PNG's acting minister for information and communications technology.

Tsiamalili notes that the $120 million Pukpuk Connectivity Initiative will connect northern and southern Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville autonomous region with high-capacity cables.

He adds that Google will build the subsea cables, noting that the cables will cut reliance on single points of failure, and enable Papua New Guinea to attract investment from hyper-scalers and global digital enterprises.

It's part of a pact between Papua New Guinea and Australia, called the Pukpuk Treaty, which gives Australian defense personnel access to PNG communications systems, including satellite stations and cables.