LEO satellite research launched at PITA conference – Read more
The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) launched its research report, Low Earth orbit satellites in the Pacific: Opportunities, risks, and governance for resilient connectivity, at the 30th Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) AGM, Business Forum and Expo. Held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from the 13 – 17 April 2026, PITA is a key regional platform for Pacific connectivity discussions, bringing together governments, regulators, industry, development partners and more. The Australian Government is pleased to be a member of PITA and attend the AGM each year, supporting regional knowledge sharing and strengthening links between governments and industry. CCRC’s research launched at the conference explores how LEO satellites can be most effectively integrated alongside submarine fibre cables. Key findings of the report are that subsea telecommunications cables remain the backbone of high-capacity connectivity across the Pacific, providing the lowest total cost of ownership over the long-term to meet growing demand, with LEO satellite systems a very important complementary layer - extending coverage, strengthening redundancy and improving resilience, particularly for remote areas and outer island communities, and during disasters or connectivity outages. CCRC was pleased to collaborate with the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), Network Strategies, Hibbard Consulting and McCann Consulting International to deliver a workshop for regulators and industry representatives. CCRC shared recent research findings, while Network Strategies presented a case study from Tonga examining the impact of LEO satellite services on local operators and outlining recommended regulatory measures to strengthen domestic competitiveness. These insights supported a robust discussion on the governance and management of LEO satellite systems in the Pacific. Participants underscored the need for coordinated policy and regulatory approaches to support emerging hybrid connectivity models as technologies continue to evolve. We thank PTC and PITA for their collaboration and partnership in delivering this workshop.Through its participation at PITA, the CCRC welcomed the opportunity to connect with key regional partners and work together to strengthen connectivity and resilience in Pacific islands countries. Click here for the full report.
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Peak industry-led body highlights need for collaboration to protect global connectivity – Read more
The 2026 International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) Plenary brought together governments, industry and experts to advance collaboration on protecting global connectivity. Australia was represented by the Director of the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC), Nadia Krivetz, attending as a Government Observer. Held in Athens, Greece in April 2026, the 40th ICPC Plenary was themed ‘collaboration to protect global connectivity’ and focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of critical subsea cable infrastructure. Ms Krivetz participated in a panel discussion on regulatory and policy approaches to strengthening subsea cable protection and resilience. The discussion highlighted the role of effective policy and regulatory settings to support the security, reliability and ongoing operation of global cable networks. The Plenary provided an excellent opportunity to engage with industry leaders and other Government Observers, to exchange views and share insights on emerging trends and best practice in subsea cable policy and protection. More information about the 2026 ICPC Plenary is available here, on the ICPC website.
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Australia hosts Indonesian delegation to strengthen subsea cable cooperation – Read more
The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) hosted a study tour for officials from the Government of Indonesia’s National Team for the Management of Subsea Pipelines and/or Cables. The visit brought together Australian Government agencies to share views on end-to-end subsea telecommunications cable governance, including permitting, protection and resilience. Discussions covered planning, installation, operation and repair, coordination across government, critical infrastructure risk mitigation and incident response. Delegates also met with private sector operators to better understand their decision making and explore how government and industry work together to support secure and reliable connectivity.The study tour supported Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to streamline its permitting processes, enhance transparency and strengthen cable protection settings, consistent with international best practice. It also advanced discussions on the viability of new fibre optic subsea cable links between Australia and Indonesia.The CCRC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Indonesia’s National Team to enhance digital connectivity between Australia and Indonesia.
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Talanoa in Tonga to safeguard subsea cable connectivity – Read more
The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) travelled to Tonga in February 2026 to participate in a Talanoa supporting the development of a regulatory framework to safeguard Tonga’s subsea telecommunications cables and ensure reliable connectivity for communities, businesses, and government.The Talanoa was held in partnership with the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, and brought together representatives from across the Tongan Government, cable operators, and ocean management agencies.Discussions focused on local perspectives on risks to Tonga’s subsea cable infrastructure and explored practical and legislative measures to establish cable protection zones and supporting regulations. Participants also considered how such a framework could align with Tonga’s broader ocean management priorities while reflecting international best practice.Insights from the Talanoa will inform the development of policy, legislative, and regulatory arrangements for cable protection, in collaboration with the relevant government agencies and community groups.The CCRC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Tonga to advance these priorities and support resilient digital connectivity across the Pacific.
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CCRC attends the International Subsea Cable Resilience Summit – Read more
Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) Director Nadia Krivetz represented the Australian Government at the Second International Subsea Cable Resilience Summit, held in February 2026, in Portugal.The Summit brought together governments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, investors, subsea cable experts and international organisations to address pressing challenges facing subsea telecommunications cable systems. Discussions focused on strengthening international cooperation and resilience in subsea cables by promoting best practice policy and regulation, streamlining cable permitting, maintenance and repair processes and encouraging enhanced cable protection. The Summit endorsed the Porto Summit Declaration, which sets out practical, non-binding guidance to strengthen international cooperation and enhance the resilience and protection of subsea cable infrastructure worldwide. The Declaration provides a shared framework to support governments and industry in responding to evolving risks and safeguarding global connectivity. The full Declaration is available here.
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Philippines progresses subsea cable protection – Read more
A workshop in the Philippines has marked a significant milestone in regulatory reform for subsea telecommunications cables and set the stage for the next phase of work. Hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) in November 2025, the workshop looked at proposed reforms to strengthen the protection of the Philippines’ subsea telecommunications cables and simplify permitting processes for the installation and repair of cables to support the country’s growing connectivity needs. These proposed reforms build on analysis conducted through the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, which examined the Philippines’ subsea cable ecosystem, regulatory environment, and future market potential. Over the past year, CCRC has worked with DICT on guidance to implement a framework for the management and protection of subsea telecommunication cables in the Philippines. The DICT has progressed a regulatory pathway for submarine cable management, shared key analysis with the Office of the President, and initiated steps to establish a dedicated sub-committee on submarine cables within the National Maritime Council. Through this work, internal capacity across DICT has been strengthened, with staff now better equipped to implement and advocate for reforms across government. This work has helped position the Philippines as a regional leader on subsea cable resilience, aligning closely with ASEAN’s digital connectivity agenda as the country prepares to assume the ASEAN Chair in January 2026.The workshop marks another step in strengthening collaboration between Australia and the Philippines to enhance digital connectivity, resilience, and economic opportunity through well-coordinated infrastructure policy reform.
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Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu strengthen ties through cable knowledge exchange – Read more
In May 2025, the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre supported a study tour to the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company (SISCC) for representatives from Nauru Fibre Cable (NFC) and Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation (TTC).Both Nauru and Tuvalu landed their first international cables this year. The tour provided an opportunity to learn how SISCC successfully manages the Coral Sea Cable System and the Solomon Islands Domestic Network.SISCC conducted a tour of the cable landing station and guided participants through day-to-day operations and infrastructure management, including monitoring systems, maintenance practices, and measures to support cable protection.This was a valuable opportunity to share experiences and knowledge across the Pacific on the development, management, and protection of undersea cables.The visit came at a good time, with both NFC and TTC preparing to operationalise their first international cable systems.A big thank you to SISCC for hosting and facilitating this successful visit.
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Study tour strengthens Australia–Indonesia cooperation on undersea cable resilience – Read more
The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) hosted a study tour for representatives from Indonesia’s National Taskforce for Submarine Cable and Pipeline Deployment, strengthening cooperation on undersea cable protection and management between the two countries.Held in September 2025, the visit provided an opportunity to share knowledge and approaches on undersea cable resilience, and to see how Australia integrates policy, regulation and industry expertise to support secure and reliable connectivity. The engagement supports Indonesia’s objectives to enhance cable protection and streamline permitting processes through the adoption of international best practice.Through the CCRC Australia is working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the resilience of this vital infrastructure.The delegation met with Australian government and industry representatives, including Southern Cross Cable, Telstra and Equinix, to learn from Australia’s experience in cable management and infrastructure coordination. Site visits included the Alexandria Cable Landing Station and the Equinix Data Centre in Sydney.The CCRC extends its thanks to Southern Cross, Telstra and Equinix for their valuable support in hosting the delegation and sharing insights during the visit.
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Workshops explore the futures of undersea cables across the Indo-Pacific – Read more
Governments, industry leaders and technical experts from across the Indo-Pacific came together through a series of regional workshops in Singapore, New Delhi and Melbourne to explore how undersea cable networks could evolve to meet the region’s future connectivity needs.Using scenario-based planning, participants examined how social, environmental and economic factors might shape the region’s digital infrastructure by 2045, and what steps were needed to strengthen resilience.The workshops formed part of the Futures of Undersea Cables initiative, led by the Tech Policy Design Institute. The project was delivered in collaboration with the ANU National Security College Futures Hub and the Tech for Good Institute and supported by the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC). The project aimed to encourage thinking beyond current issues and consider how undersea cable requirements may change over the coming decades, as a means to identify opportunities for governments and industry to work together to ensure future connectivity and protection.Across the three workshops, participants explored diverse perspectives on the challenges of growing data demand, investment needs, and the potential role of emerging technologies such as satellite networks. The sessions also examined best-practice approaches in technical assistance, research and policy analysis, and knowledge sharing—laying the groundwork for stronger cable protection frameworks and improved regional cooperation.The findings from the workshops have resulted in the report, Beneath the Surface: Critical Connections and Regional Futures, which presents a multimedia Cables Futures Toolkit to empower stakeholders and enable engaging and constructive dialogue across the region recommendations for strengthening cable resilience across the Indo-Pacific.
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