Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is slated to lay undersea cables to facilitate internet access for at least eight Pacific nations, expanding a pre-existing commercial initiative.
The endeavour is part of a joint agreement between the United States and Australia, set to be formally announced during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the White House.
Both governments will fund the project: Canberra is investing $50 million while Washington will contribute an additional US$15 million ($23.9 million).
The eight Pacific nations targeted include Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Bolster cybersecurity resilience
The collaboration aims to bolster cybersecurity resilience among these nations, providing backup solutions via global cloud networks.
This effort aligns with US President Joe Biden's push for American dominance in telecommunications, an industry perceived as critical for national security due to its control over global information flow.
The agreement underlines the escalating importance of the Pacific nations in global geopolitics, as both China and the US seek to strengthen relationships with them through infrastructure development and military partnerships.
Google is also in the process of developing a fibre-optic cable that will link Taiwan, the Philippines and the the US.