The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Undersea internet cables connect Pacific islands to the world. But geopolitical tension is tugging at the wires

  • Written by Amanda H A Watson, Research Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University

If you’ve ever emailed a resort in Fiji or Vanuatu about that long-awaited holiday, it’s likely your email travelled through an undersea internet cable. Such cables carry much of the internet traffic around the globe, in conjunction with underground fibre connections, satellites and microwave links.

For Pacific Island countries, undersea internet cables can be crucial. The number of Pacific Island countries with such connections has increased substantially in recent years[1]. Even so, many countries still rely on a single cable and others have no cable at all.

Each undersea cable is about the width of a garden hose, made up of protective layers of metal and plastic wrapped around the hair-thin optic fibres that carry signals as pulses of light. There are more than 400 submarine cables criss-crossing the world’s seabeds, with a combined length of 1.3 million kilometres[2].

The internet began as a US government project, and it is still dominated by the US today. As Chinese companies have become involved in laying undersea cables, geopolitics is influencing key decisions about the rollout of internet cables across the Pacific.

Aid and cables

Pacific Island countries are keen to improve their connectivity. In response, aid donors have been funding new cables.

Australia funded the Coral Sea Cable System for Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands that launched in December 2019[3]. New Zealand supported the Cook Islands component of the Manatua cable, which landed in Cook Islands in September 2020[4].

Read more: Fight for control threatens to destabilize and fragment the internet[5]

Australia, the US and Japan are planning a second cable for Palau[6] and Australia has provided funding to assess route options for Timor Leste’s[7] first cable.

Undersea internet cables connect Pacific islands to the world. But geopolitical tension is tugging at the wires International undersea internet cables for Pacific Island countries. Dr Amanda H A Watson and CartoGIS ANU, Author provided

Chinese companies shut out

The laying of undersea internet cables has become entwined with geopolitics[8].

A recent tender process for the East Micronesia cable, which was to be funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, elicited warnings[9] from the US to the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and Kiribati about “security threats posed by a Chinese company’s cut-price bid”. Such concerns may have been behind a decision to declare all three bids invalid[10].

Since then, Nauru has reportedly been considering a cable route[11] that would connect to Solomon Islands (allowing internet traffic to flow on to Australia from there). Another possibility is that the US may step in[12] to fund a cable following the same route as initially planned.

The Solomon Islands’ government had reportedly[13] organised for a Chinese company to lay a cable from Solomon Islands to Australia, but the Australian government stepped in[14] to fund the project instead. This move “shut out Huawei Marine”, which had been contracted by Solomon Islands to do the work[15].

Undersea internet cables connect Pacific islands to the world. But geopolitical tension is tugging at the wires The cable comes ashore in the Solomon Islands. Coral Sea Cable System

Security concerns

There are concerns in Australia and among allies about potential risks associated with China having access to, or control of, internet cables. Such concerns have increased since Chinese company Huawei started to lay[16] undersea cables.

Taiwan has reportedly expressed[17] similar anxiety:

Taiwan has claimed that China is backing private investment in Pacific undersea cable networks as a way to spy on foreign nations and steal data.

Similar concerns appear to be behind the cancellation of three planned cables, backed by Facebook and Google among others, that were to link to Hong Kong. Those plans changed after the introduction of Hong Kong’s extradition laws and other shifts in its political landscape.

The Hong Kong-Americas[18] cable plan was withdrawn, a planned Hong Kong connection for the Pacific Light cable[19] was abandoned and the Bay-to-Bay Express[20] was also dropped.

US sanctions

The US Department of Justice[21] has made its concerns clear:

a direct cable connection between the United States and Hong Kong would pose an unacceptable risk to the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States.

The US has imposed sanctions[22] against Huawei and other Chinese companies. For its part, Huawei has repeatedly denied accusations of spying and links to the Chinese state and has offered[23] to have its equipment tested.

In August this year, Chinese telecommunication company China Mobile pulled out[24] of ownership of a cable that is to link the Philippines and the US. Sanctions against the company would have stopped the cable project from going ahead[25].

Geopolitics is not the only concern

As with the recent submarine announcement[26] and other areas of collaboration, Australia could work with partner countries to establish strategic connectivity proposals. Ideally, plans for internet connections would put the needs of recipient countries and their citizens first. New internet infrastructure planning would also take into account the environmental consequences[27] of both construction and operation.

Read more: Australia to build nuclear submarines in a new partnership with the US and UK[28]

However, in the current context, geopolitical considerations seem likely to weigh heavily on the minds of decision-makers.

The US dominates[29] the internet and it is controlling the rollout of internet cables in the Pacific and elsewhere.

It remains to be seen what this will mean for people in Pacific Island nations. If traditional partner countries consult with local leaders about what they want, then all may be well. Time may reveal whether internet access in the Pacific region is held back by geopolitical tensions.

References

  1. ^ in recent years (dpa.bellschool.anu.edu.au)
  2. ^ 1.3 million kilometres (www2.telegeography.com)
  3. ^ December 2019 (coralseacablecompany.com)
  4. ^ September 2020 (www.cookislandsnews.com)
  5. ^ Fight for control threatens to destabilize and fragment the internet (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ for Palau (www.aiffp.gov.au)
  7. ^ Timor Leste’s (www.aiffp.gov.au)
  8. ^ with geopolitics (dpa.bellschool.anu.edu.au)
  9. ^ elicited warnings (www.reuters.com)
  10. ^ declare all three bids invalid (asia.nikkei.com)
  11. ^ considering a cable route (www.solomontimes.com)
  12. ^ may step in (www.reuters.com)
  13. ^ reportedly (asia.nikkei.com)
  14. ^ stepped in (www.abc.net.au)
  15. ^ to do the work (www.japantimes.co.jp)
  16. ^ started to lay (edition.cnn.com)
  17. ^ reportedly expressed (www.newsweek.com)
  18. ^ Hong Kong-Americas (www.wsj.com)
  19. ^ the Pacific Light cable (www.zdnet.com)
  20. ^ the Bay-to-Bay Express (www.intelligenceonline.com)
  21. ^ Department of Justice (www.justice.gov)
  22. ^ sanctions (www.whitehouse.gov)
  23. ^ has offered (www.abc.net.au)
  24. ^ pulled out (www.reuters.com)
  25. ^ from going ahead (www.scmp.com)
  26. ^ submarine announcement (theconversation.com)
  27. ^ environmental consequences (a4ai.org)
  28. ^ Australia to build nuclear submarines in a new partnership with the US and UK (theconversation.com)
  29. ^ dominates (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/undersea-internet-cables-connect-pacific-islands-to-the-world-but-geopolitical-tension-is-tugging-at-the-wires-167968

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...