Brian Quigley, Google’s Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure and chairman of the Pacific Connect Initiative, is currently visiting Fiji. He is set to be a guest speaker at the Prime Minister’s International Business Awards (PMIBA) taking place tomorrow evening. Investment Fiji, the organizer of the esteemed event, has confirmed his participation.
During his address, Quigley will discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, emphasizing its significant impact on the future. Google is spearheading a substantial US$1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity between the US mainland and Japan. This endeavor is part of the Pacific Connect Initiative, which seeks to link Pacific island nations through two new undersea telecommunications cables named Honomoana and Tabua. The latter cable is designed to connect Fiji to Australia and the US mainland.
In June, Google entered into a partnership with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Inaugural Investor Forum in Singapore. This collaboration will see the expansion of Google’s Pacific Connect initiative into Fiji.
The partnership aims to focus on key areas including:
1. **Pacific Connectivity**: Google, together with its global partners, is investing in submarine cables to enhance internet accessibility, resilience, and reliability throughout the Pacific.
2. **Green ICT Capabilities in Fiji**: The establishment of a green ICT park in Fiji is planned, which will accommodate the FinTel Pacific Connect Internet Exchange and support the termination of submarine cables connecting Japan, Australia, Chile, and the US. This initiative will also boost data center capacity.
3. **Fostering a Data-Driven Ecosystem**: Both Google and FNPF are committed to recognizing data as a vital asset for spurring economic growth and innovation. They aim to collaborate on improving access to data center facilities for Fijians and other island nations in the Pacific, with the support of their respective governments.
Quigley’s visit underscores a shared commitment towards strengthening Pacific connectivity through advanced technology, which could have lasting benefits for the region’s economies and digital infrastructure.
This initiative represents a hopeful future wherein advancements in technology and connectivity could foster innovation and economic growth across Pacific islands, ultimately benefiting local communities and businesses.
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