Google has revealed plans for the Central Pacific Connect program, which would improve digital connection in the central Pacific by collaborating with Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), APTelecom, and Telstra to deliver two new intra-Pacific cables, Bulikula and Halaihai.
Flexibility and Reliance
The Central Pacific Connect plan will create a ring connecting Guam, French Polynesia, and Fiji, building on the South Pacific Connect initiative that was unveiled in October. Pre-positioned branching units inside this ring will allow additional Oceanian nations and territories to benefit from the initiative’s dependability and resilience.
Economic Conversion
When the cables, Bulikula and Halaihai, become live, Google says they will combine with Guam’s current subsea cable portfolio, which consists of Taiwan-Philippines-US, Apricot, and Echo. The Bulikula and Halaihai undersea cables are expected to provide the foundation for the Pacific Peoples’ digital interconnection and open the door for increased digital connectivity to drive economic development.
Telstra stated that it had built the biggest carrier subsea cable network in Asia over a number of decades. Amalgamated Telecom claims that operators in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu will be able to make significant improvements to internet access because to this key infrastructure investment in the ring and branching units. It will also enable them to provide trunk connection to every Pacific Island.
Humboldt Cable Path
Along with the announcement of Humboldt, Google also announced the Office of Posts and Telecommunications of French Polynesia (OPT) and Desarrollo Pais of Chile collaborating to create the first cable route connecting South America and the Asia-Pacific area in early January 2024. French Polynesia, Australia, and Chile are connected by this undersea cable route.
