Australia, Japan and the US to help fund Pacific sea internet cable

Australia, Japan and the United States will jointly fund an undersea cable to enhance internet capabilities in three Pacific Island nations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne (R) hold a bilateral meeting on the first day of the G7 foreign ministers summit in Liverpool.

The two-day gathering in Liverpool, England, of foreign and development ministers from the group of wealthy countries comes amid rising global tensions. Source: AFP

Australia, Japan and the United States will fund an undersea cable to drive faster internet and grow connectivity to three Pacific countries.

The Western allies will work with the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and Nauru to provide better internet capacity.

A joint statement between six countries released on Sunday included Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Japan Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The six-country partnership would result in higher quality and more reliable and secure communications to about 100,000 people, the statement said.

"This will support increased economic growth, drive development opportunities, and help to improve living standards as the region recovers from the severe impacts of COVID-19."

The joint infrastructure investment comes at a time of "unprecedented economic and strategic challenges in our region", the statement said.

Concerns have increased in the Indo-Pacific region amid tensions between China and Taiwan.
Chinese fighter jets continue to fly over Taiwan, while Defence Minister Peter Dutton said it was "inconceivable" Australia would not support the United States in a war over the island.

Better access to digital technologies and improved connectivity are said to enhance economic and social benefits and improve sustainable development.

"They also help increase the availability of digital government services, particularly in education and health," the joint statement said.

"And provide businesses and households with improved access to services, information and trade, and employment opportunities."

The cable will connect Kosrae, Nauru, and Tarawa with an existing cable at Pohnpei, providing online connectivity for the first time through a submarine cable.


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Source: AAP, SBS


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