- Contracts to capitalise on the development of new Hawaiki Nui subsea cable
- Significant improvement in connectivity, resiliency and latency
- Enabler for digital economy and better socio-economic outcomes
SINGAPORE / AUCKLAND / CANBERRA – 27 October 2023 – BW Digital announced today that its subsidiary, Hawaiki Nui Submarine Cable LP, has signed contracts with the Australian Government to enhance international connectivity throughout the Pacific region.
Hawaiki Nui is a new Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM) fibre optic cable linking South-East Asia, Australasia and North America. Construction of the system is due to start in 2024, with an expected cable ready for service (RFS) date in 2026.
The contracts, comprising agreements to supply and install branching units and an indefeasible right of use for capacity on the Hawaiki Nui submarine cable, will be funded by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). These branching units will benefit Pacific island countries by providing the opportunity for operators to branch into the Hawaiki Nui cable trunk, connect directly to regional hubs and benefit from critical diversity and improved latency.
“The contracts between the Australian Government and BW Digital demonstrate our joint commitment to bridge the digital divide and provide secure, high-speed connectivity to Pacific island countries,” said Ludovic Hutier, chief executive officer of BW Digital.
“This agreement also reflects BW Digital’s strategy to build a trusted ecosystem of digital infrastructure servicing the needs of governments, businesses and communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region” he added.
The signing comes as Australia and the United States announced a commitment to work collaboratively with commercial trunk developers and Pacific island countries to provide future connectivity options to support realisation of regional digitisation goals.
About BW Digital
BW Digital, a subsidiary of BW Group, develops, funds and operates digital infrastructures in the Asia-Pacific region. BW Digital is the owner of the 15,000km Hawaiki submarine cable network, connecting Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Hawaii and Oregon, on the US west coast since 2018. For more information, visit www.bw-digital.com.
Media contact:
David Binning – Brand Comms Bureau
+61.406.397.033
David.binning@bcbureau.com.au
