Page 30 - IB May 2024
P. 30
Telecom Feature
THE COMPLEXITIES OF
UNDERSEA CABLES
In the Indo-Pacific region, undersea cables carry over 95% of international data traffic, including telephone and data communications. Photo: Courtesy of Center for Indo-
Pacific Affairs, University of Hawaii
By Kite Pareti assessing key regional documents such as the 2050 Strategy
for the Blue Pacific Continent as part of a project paper to be
While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure released later this year.
through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders “Instead of concentrating their attention on geopolitical
in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing matters, Pacific leaders, at least in their public statements
digital connectivity to the islands, an Australian researcher and documents, are focused on trying to achieve affordable
has argued. and reliable connectivity for their government departments,
A Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the
Australian National University, Dr Amanda Watson has been Continued on page 32
30 Islands Business, May 2024
