Google is set to enhance Fiji’s digital landscape with the establishment of a new cable landing station at their ICT facility in Natadola. This pivotal infrastructure will support essential data transmission servers, racks, and power-generating equipment for the international fiber optic cables that Google will be laying in Fiji.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced these developments during the groundbreaking ceremony held on Saturday. He emphasized that this facility will position Fiji as a key hub for digital connectivity within the Pacific region. The new ICT facility marks the second cable landing station on Viti Levu, further bolstering the country’s internet connectivity and creating a more resilient network with stations located in both the Central Division and the West.
The advanced ICT facility will play a crucial role in supporting Google’s extensive subsea telecommunication cables across the Pacific, connecting Fiji to the U.S. mainland, Australia, Japan, and for the first time, Chile. Rabuka noted that this project will position Fiji as a vital node in the global internet ecosystem, enhancing international data flows and fostering innovation, while ensuring that all Fijians can engage in the global digital economy.
“This project exemplifies our vision of empowering the people of Fiji in unity,” said Rabuka. He reinforced the government’s commitment to attracting significant investments that align with sustainable growth and resilience goals.
Representatives from Google, including Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure Brian Quigley and Submarine Innovation lead Shirshendu Bhattacharya, attended the event. Quigley asserted that this new facility will create a world-class connectivity hub and contribute to bridging the digital divide through the initiative called Pacific Connect.
Google is collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Fiji National Provident Fund and Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd (FINTEL), to bring this project to fruition.
The establishment of this facility not only promises to improve connectivity but also holds the potential to transform Fiji into a technological leader in the region, opening up opportunities for local communities to thrive in the digital economy.
This project is a hopeful step forward for Fiji, reinforcing its commitment to progress in the face of global technological advancements, and ensuring that its people are well integrated into the modern world’s digital landscape.
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