Google will Invest IDR 15.9 Trillion to Increase Digital Connectivity between the US and Japan
Google will invest US $ 1 billion (Rp. 15.9 trillion) to improve digital connectivity between the US and Japan through the construction of two new undersea cables. (photo: x @google)
- Alphabet's company, Google, announced on Wednesday 10 April that it would invest 1 billion US dollars (Rp. 15.9 trillion) to improve digital connectivity between the US and Japan through the construction of two new undersea cables. This was said in line with the visit of the Japanese prime minister to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Two undersea cables, Proa and Taihei, will improve connectivity between the US, Japan and a number of Pacific Island countries and territories, Google said in a blog post.
"Taking advantage of a joint US-Australia funding commitment for undersea cables last October, the United States and Japan plan to collaborate with compatriot partners to build a reliable and more resilient network and intend to contribute funds toproviding undersea cables in the Pacific region," said a joint US-Japan statement on Wednesday.
The Pacific region has become an area of interest for China and the US, which are vying for influence in the zone with competing infrastructure offers and military partnerships.
US President Joe Biden has pushed for US dominance in telecommunications services, viewing the industry as a key national security issue due to its control over the flow of information around the world.
The US pledged last year to co-finance two undersea cables, to be built by Google, linking the US territory of Guam with hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia, and further branching out to remote islands in the Pacific.
Google said the Proa undersea cable will connect the US, Japan, the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam, while the Taihei undersea cable will connect the US, Japan and Hawaii. Additionally, Google said it would fund the construction of an interlink cable connecting Hawaii, CNMI and Guam.
The tech company also said it would work with Japan-based companies - including KDDI, Arteria Networks, Philippines-based Citadel Pacific, and CNMI - to improve digital connectivity in the region. Undersea cables are the backbone of the internet, carrying 99% of the world's data traffic.