Wedoany.com Report-Jun 14, Telecom Fiji and Google have entered into an agreement to design, construct, and maintain a terrestrial fiber optic link connecting FINTEL’s international cable landing station in Vatuwaqa to Google’s ICT facility in Natadola, Fiji. This high-capacity link, running along the Queens Highway corridor, aims to provide seamless high-speed data transmission, enhancing digital infrastructure and regional connectivity.

The project is part of the Pacific Connect initiative, which seeks to improve the reliability, reach, and scalability of connectivity across the Pacific region. Telecom Fiji is responsible for the end-to-end delivery, including constructing the fiber optic route, ensuring ongoing maintenance for optimal network performance, and adhering to international standards and security practices.

The Bulikula and Tabua subsea cable systems, landing at Natadola and Vatuwaqa, are critical to Fiji’s role as a connectivity hub. The terrestrial fiber link ensures efficient and continuous data transmission between these sites, supporting both local and regional digital needs.

Charles Goundar, CEO of Telecom Fiji, stated: “We are honored by the trust Google has placed in us for this critical project. This strategic agreement reaffirms Telecom Fiji’s technical strength and our role in enabling world-class digital infrastructure for the Pacific. From planning and design to construction and maintenance — we’re delivering the full scope of this fiber project to global standards.”

Brian Quigley, VP of Global Network Infrastructure at Google Cloud, added: “With the arrival of the Bulikula and Tabua subsea cables, Fiji has been established as a premier connectivity hub for the Pacific. This is now bolstered by our new agreement with Telecom Fiji to fund direct fiber optic connectivity between the Vatuwaqa and Natadola sites, which will deliver added reliability, support Fiji’s digital transformation and help bridge the digital divide in the Pacific.”

This collaboration strengthens Fiji’s digital infrastructure, positioning it as a key player in Pacific connectivity while supporting broader goals of digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.