- Google and Chile have agreed to build the Humboldt Cable, a 14,800-kilometre submarine data cable connecting South America to the Asia-Pacific region, expected to be operational by 2027.
- The project aims to enhance digital connectivity, support various services and industries, and establish Chile as a regional digital hub.
What happened: Google and Chile sign deal for South Pacific data cable project
Google and the Chilean government have signed an agreement to deploy a 14,800-kilometre submarine data cable, named the Humboldt Cable, connecting Valparaíso, Chile, to Sydney, Australia, via French Polynesia. This initiative, the first of its kind in the South Pacific, aims to enhance digital connectivity between South America and the Asia-Pacific region. The project, initially proposed in 2016, is scheduled for deployment in 2026 and expected to be operational by 2027.
The estimated cost of the project ranges between $300 million and $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million through its state-owned infrastructure company, Desarrollo País. The cable will be open for use by other entities, including technology companies operating in Chile.
The Humboldt Cable is expected to improve services such as TikTok, facilitate the transmission of astronomical data, and support mining operations in both Chile and Australia. Additionally, Chile is exploring extending the cable to Argentina and is planning a separate submarine cable to Antarctica for research purposes.
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Why it’s important
This project positions Chile as a digital hub in Latin America, strengthening its connectivity with Asian nations, including China, its largest trading partner. The Humboldt Cable also reflects the growing importance of submarine cables in global digital infrastructure and the strategic interests of major technology companies in expanding their global networks.
