Google to lay three subsea cables in Papua New Guinea under Australia defence pact

Alphabet’s Google will build three subsea internet cables in Papua New Guinea (PNG) under a project funded by Australia through a bilateral defence agreement, marking a major upgrade to the Pacific nation’s digital infrastructure.

PNG’s Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili, said the US$120 million project would connect the country’s northern and southern regions as well as the autonomous Bougainville region with high-capacity fibre-optic cables.

He said the investment is fully financed by Australia under the Pukpuk Treaty, a mutual defence pact signed in October, describing the initiative as part of a shared commitment to digital security, regional stability and national development.

Australian and US strategists view resource-rich but largely underdeveloped PNG as strategically important due to its location north of Australia, particularly amid growing Chinese influence in the Pacific.

According to the PNG government, Google will deliver the subsea cable system, and discussions on the project were held this week at Google’s Australian office involving PNG officials as well as Australian and US diplomats. A Google Australia spokesperson declined to comment on the project.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said the new cables are expected to reduce internet costs, boost economic growth and expand educational opportunities in PNG.

The infrastructure is also expected to make PNG more attractive to global technology firms and hyperscale data companies, Mr Tsiamalili added.

The Pukpuk Treaty allows Australian defence personnel access to PNG communications systems, including cables and satellite facilities. The United States has also deepened military cooperation with PNG, signing a defence cooperation agreement in 2023.