Google, Vocus to connect US and Australia with new subsea cable system

The South Pacific Connect initiative “will create a ring between Australia, Fiji and French Polynesia,” Google Cloud’s vice president of global network infrastructure Brian Quigley said in a blog post.

It comprises two trans-Pacific cables: “Honomoana”, which runs US – French Polynesia – Australia, and “Tabua”, which runs US – Fiji – Australia.

In addition, a third “interlink” cable will run between Fiji and French Polynesia to connect the two different cables.

Branching units will also be placed at various points to allow other Pacific Island nations to connect to the cable system.

Both the US and Australian governments will jointly fund some of these additional connections, under an ‘Innovation Alliance’ agreed overnight.

“The US government, working with the US Congress, and Australia through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, intend to provide US$65 million ($103 million) to finance future submarine cable connectivity for Pacific Island countries, to assist access to global markets and realisation of regional connectivity goals,” US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement.

“We plan to work collaboratively with commercial cable providers Google and Hawaiki Nui, in partnership with Pacific Island countries, to provide branching units for Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Vocus said in a statement that it is Google’s “preferred partner to deliver” the new system.

“Vocus is delighted to be Google’s preferred partner to deliver the South Pacific Connect initiative, which will significantly uplift the capacity, reliability, and resilience of Australia’s international connectivity,” Vocus CEO Ellie Sweeney said.

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Microsoft announces A$5 billion investment in computing capacity and capability to help Australia se

Microsoft will invest A$5 billion in expanding its hyper-scale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Australia over the next two years – the single largest investment in its forty-year history in the country. This investment will also grow Microsoft’s local datacentre footprint from 20 sites to a total of 29 spread across Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

Microsoft has unveiled a substantial investment of A$5 billion in Australia, signalling a significant commitment to bolster the country’s digital infrastructure, up-skill its workforce, and enhance cybersecurity measures. The investment is the largest in Microsoft’s 40-year history in Australia.

Key highlights of this announcement include:

1. Digital Infrastructure Expansion: Microsoft will focus on expanding its hyper scale cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next two years. This investment will boost Microsoft’s local datacenter presence from 20 to 29 sites in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney, increasing computing capacity by approximately 250%. This expansion aims to meet the rising demand for cloud services, predicted to double from A$12.2 billion in 2022 to A$22.4 billion in 2026.

2. Skilling and Education: Microsoft is working with TAFE NSW to establish a Microsoft Datacentre Academy in Australia. Additionally, the company plans to extend its global skills programs, benefiting over 300,000 Australians, ensuring they have the necessary skills for success in the digital economy.

3. Cybersecurity Collaboration: In partnership with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), Microsoft will launch the Microsoft-Australian Signals Directorate Cyber Shield (MACS) initiative. MACS aims to enhance cybersecurity and provide better protection against cyber threats for Australian residents, businesses, and government entities. This partnership will focus on building next-generation cybersecurity solutions.

4. Sustainability Commitment: Microsoft will ensure its new data centers in Australia align with the company’s sustainability goals of being carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030, incorporating eco-friendly construction materials and renewable energy sources.

5. Economic Potential of AI: Microsoft’s investment positions Australia to harness the economic and productivity opportunities presented by AI technology. A recent report by the Tech Council of Australia and Microsoft suggests that generative AI could contribute as much as A$115 billion annually to Australia’s economy by 2030 if adopted at an accelerated pace.

6. Skilling Initiatives: Microsoft is committed to supporting an additional 300,000 Australians through its global skills programs. These programs aim to provide access to learning resources, certifications, and job-seeking tools to help people succeed in the digital economy.

7. Cyber Defence: The Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield (MACS) builds upon the existing partnership between Microsoft and the Australian Government to improve cybersecurity and respond to the growing frequency and severity of cyber threats. The collaboration focuses on detecting, analysing, and defending against sophisticated nation-state cyber threats.

This initiative coincided with a state visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the United States and underscores Microsoft’s commitment to Australia’s technological advancement, economic growth, and cybersecurity resilience.

Here’s what you need to know about 5G.

The next-generation of wireless technology is now even faster for 5G users in some parts of the country.

Telecom companies have rolled out 5G networks to various locations across the United States over the last few years, delivering an experience that’s arguably only a notch above what 4G offers. But on Wednesday, Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T) turned on their C-band 5G networks – an important set of radio frequencies that will supercharge the internet as we know it.

“The impact will be that users will likely consume more data, the connection will be more robust and most likely we may see new types of applications emerging,” said Dimitris Mavrakis, senior director at market research firm ABI Research. “5G is also positioned toward enterprise services, so this upgrade may push both carriers’ plans to address this domain even further.”

AT&T and Verizon have once again postponed the launch of C-band 5G in specific airport areas amid concerns that it could interfere with radar altimeters used by pilots for landing in low visibility conditions. Airlines warned of significant transportation and economic consequences, with an estimated 1,000 daily flight disruptions.

Despite industry claims that such concerns are unfounded, citing experiences in 40 countries with 5G, including the UK, Australia, and China, the last-minute delay adds to the challenges facing the deployment of this highly anticipated technology. These challenges have included underwhelming user experiences, disputes over equipment placement, and conspiracy theories regarding potential health effects.

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