Google is set to embark on a major undersea cable project to provide internet access to eight remote Pacific Ocean nations.
The endeavor, in collaboration with the United States and Australia, is poised to significantly expand Google's commercial operations in the region, targeting countries that have often struggled with limited connectivity.
The project, which includes Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, aims to bridge the digital divide in the Pacific.
According to Reuters, the initiative will be officially unveiled during a White House visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, showcasing the joint effort between the United States and Australia to empower these nations.
Both governments are contributing to the project, with Canberra allocating $50 million and Washington providing an additional $15 million, according to a senior administration official.
Google, owned by Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), is not new to enhancing connectivity through undersea cables, with a separate project underway that links Taiwan, the self-ruled island disputed by China, with the Philippines and the US.
The US will collaborate with these nations on strengthening their cybersecurity resilience, aiding them in safeguarding critical data by establishing connections to global cloud networks, according to Reuters.