Google to build subsea cables in Papua New Guinea under Australia defence treaty

13/12/2025 12:35

Alphabet's Google will build three subsea cables in Papua New Guinea, which the largest Pacific Island nation said was funded by Australia under a mutual defence treaty, in a key upgrade to its digital backbone.



Australian and U.S. military strategists view resource-rich but largely under-developed Papua New Guinea as having a prized location north of Australia at a time when China is boosting its influence in the region.



The $120-million effort will link northern and southern Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville autonomous region with high-capacity cables, Peter Tsiamalili, PNG's acting minister for information and communications technology, said on Friday.



"The entire investment (is) funded through Australia's commitments under the Pukpuk Treaty," he said in a statement, referring to a mutual defence pact signed in October.



The project reflected both nations' shared commitment to advance digital security, regional stability, and national development, he added.