News
Tuvalu leads the way in protecting its first undersea cable – Read more
Tuvalu’s first undersea telecommunications cable — the Vaka Cable — is now live, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation. The cable will deliver more reliable and affordable internet across Tuvalu, improving digital access and inclusion.The USD 56 million (AUD 80 million) project is supported by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), which has contributed up to USD 37 million (AUD 53 million), alongside partners including Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United States and Google.To help safeguard the cable, the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) is working with Tuvalu counterparts to develop a locally led cable protection framework, ensuring systems and practices are in place to protect this critical infrastructure.In June 2025, the CCRC convened a talanoa with government representatives, Tuvalu Telecom and technical experts. Co-chaired by Permanent Secretary Simalua Enele Taliu and Tuvalu Telecom CEO Tenanoia Simona, the session produced practical recommendations now being incorporated into the framework. The CCRC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Tuvalu on these digital priorities.
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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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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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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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Building a stronger, safer digital future: ASEAN and partners unite on cable resilience – Read more
The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) joined Governments and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia to participate in an ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) seminar on submarine cables in Jakarta in February 2025 to strengthen cooperation on undersea cable resilience, recognising its vital role in the region’s digital future through.Funded through the Australia for ASEAN Futures (Aus4ASEAN Futures) initiative, the event brought together government, industry and technical experts to highlight shared challenges facing cable networks, from natural hazards and accidental damage to security risks; and explore how regional collaboration can improve the security, maintenance and management of the submarine cables that keep the world connected.Seminar speakers emphasised the need for closer cooperation, coordination and shared expertise to keep data flowing even when cables are disrupted. For the CCRC, the seminar was an opportunity to share Australia’s experience in building secure and reliable digital infrastructure, to highlight the importance of regional partnerships in protecting shared assets beneath the sea, and to support the Cable Centre’s efforts in South East Asia to promote best practice in the regulation and management of undersea cable networks.In the lead up to the event, the CCRC worked closely with colleagues from Singapore’s InfoComm Media Development Authority, as chair of ASEAN’s Working Group on Submarine Cables, to shape an agenda to directly inform their work to update ASEAN’s 2019 Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables - an important initiative that demonstrates the region’s commitment to safeguarding the backbone of global connectivity.
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Regional regulators connect to strengthen telecommunications resilience – Read more
Officials from across the region, including Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, took part in a Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Training Program (TRTP) held in Melbourne, Australia, aimed at strengthening regional capacity and cooperation in telecommunications regulation.The training was delivered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), with support from the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC).Held from 25–27 November 2024, the TRTP brought together 33 delegates from 14 Pacific Island countries and territories, as well as Timor-Leste. The sessions fostered knowledge exchange, technical skill development and stronger regional partnerships among telecommunications regulators and policymakers.Discussions covered key topics such as telecommunications network resilience, wireless broadband, satellite technologies, subsea cable policy and spectrum management. The TRTP also created valuable opportunities for Australian agencies and regional counterparts to share experiences, strengthen ties, and explore solutions to common telecommunications and radiocommunications challenges.By connecting regulators and policymakers from across the region, the TRTP contributed to a shared goal of building a more resilient and connected Indo-Pacific—one where improved communication systems help support growth, inclusion and prosperity across all communities.The CCRC’s participation in the TRTP reflects its ongoing commitment to building technical and policy capacity across the region to strengthen undersea cable resilience.
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