Google to Build Three Major Subsea Cables in Papua New Guinea Under Australia-Funded Security Pact

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has announced a major digital infrastructure breakthrough: Google will construct three new subsea internet cables, funded by Australia under the two nations’ mutual defence treaty. The initiative marks one of the most significant technology upgrades in PNG’s history, aimed at enhancing internet connectivity, cybersecurity, and regional digital resilience.

The move comes as the Pacific becomes an increasingly competitive geopolitical arena. For years, Australian and U.S. defence strategists have viewed PNG as a critically important location resource-rich, strategically placed north of Australia, and a key access point to the broader Indo-Pacific. At the same time, China has expanded its influence across the region, often through infrastructure investments, including digital networks.

Historically, the Pacific Islands have relied on aging or limited cable systems, making them vulnerable to outages, foreign interference, and slow connectivity. The new Google built cables aim to change that landscape. Australian funding ensures that the network aligns with broader Western security interests, reducing reliance on Chinese technology and reinforcing collaborative security commitments.

PNG officials say the upgraded cable system will drive economic development, expand access to digital and financial services, and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to growing cyber threats. The government emphasized that improved connectivity is essential for education, healthcare, e-commerce, and national security.

Construction timelines have not yet been fully disclosed, but the project is set to position PNG as a more digitally resilient and strategically aligned nation in the Pacific.