Santiago, Chile (AP) – Google has entered into an agreement with Chile on Wednesday to install submarine fiber optic cables linking South America with Asia and Oceania. This initiative marks the first step towards establishing the South American nation’s role as a prominent digital hub.
The Humboldt Cable, projected to be in place by 2027, will span 14,800 kilometers (9,200 miles) and will connect Australia’s Sydney with Valparaiso, a coastal city in Chile, as well as Polynesia, France.
This project is being launched nearly a decade after it was initially proposed in 2016, and six years following the preliminary study to assess its feasibility.
“This is a significant commitment as it represents the first submarine cable in the South Pacific,” stated Juan Carlos Muñoz, Chile’s Minister of Transport, during a press conference.
Chile, a key player in one of Latin America’s largest data center networks, is already linked to the U.S. and other regions through submarine cables. This new cable will provide an extended route to connect Chile with other continents.
Officials from both Google and the Chilean government expressed optimism about the project, labeling it as essential infrastructure that could draw in millions in investments from major tech firms, as well as from the mining and banking sectors in both Chile and Australia.
“The vision for this cable extends beyond Google; it aims to benefit other users such as tech companies operating in Chile,” explained Cristian Ramos, director of Latin American telecommunications infrastructure at Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
While Google hasn’t revealed the total investment amount, Patricio Rey, the general manager of Desarrollo País, a government infrastructure partner, estimates the project’s cost to be between $300 million and $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million.
The Humboldt Cable will position Chile as a data gateway for the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing connections with Asian nations, particularly its major trading partners. This comes at a time when demand for submarine cables is skyrocketing due to the growing reliance on cloud computing services.
The next phases will involve the installation of submarine cables, the selection and contracting of communication operators, and the construction of a landing station in Chile.
This initiative may elevate tensions as Chile finds itself in the middle of escalating competition between China and the Trump administration. Submarine cables have long been a focal point in geopolitical conflicts.
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Source: apnews.com