Google invests $1B in subsea cables to boost US-Japan connectivity
What's the story
Google, the tech giant under Alphabet Inc., has committed a $1 billion investment to improve internet connectivity between the US and Japan. The initiative, revealed in a company blog post on Wednesday, involves deploying two new subsea cables named Proa and Taihei. The announcement comes at a time when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in the US to bolster ties between the two nations.
Cable deployment
Proa and Taihei cables to boost Pacific connectivity
The Proa and Taihei subsea cables are designed to enhance connectivity not only between the US and Japan but also across various Pacific island nations and territories. The Pacific region has emerged as a strategic focal point for both the US and China. President Joe Biden is advocating for US leadership in telecommunications services, viewing control over global information flows as a crucial national security concern. This move by Google aligns with this broader geopolitical strategy.
Cable connections
Google's subsea cables to link US, Japan, and Pacific islands
In 2021, the US agreed to co-fund two undersea cables with Google that would connect Guam, a US territory, with hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia, extending further to remote Pacific Islands. According to Google's announcement, the Proa subsea cable will link the US, Japan, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), while Taihei will connect the US, Japan, and Hawaii.