Telstra International, the global division of telecommunications giant Telstra, has announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Google and APTelecom to launch the central Pacific Connect initiative. This strategic partnership aims to revolutionise connectivity for individuals and businesses across the Pacific region.
The central Pacific Connect initiative comprises two key submarine cables: Bulikula, linking Guam and Fiji, and Halaihai, connecting Guam with French Polynesia. Telstra will play a pivotal role as a major telecommunications provider, owning and operating a crucial fiber pair on the Bulikula cable’s core trunk, enhancing connectivity between Guam and Fiji.
Named after the Fijian term for “golden cowrie,” symbolising rarity and prestige, Bulikula represents a significant step towards bolstering digital infrastructure in the Pacific. Telstra plans to collaborate with other telecom carriers and governments to extend branches to Pacific islands, facilitating access to essential digital services and enhancing network performance, redundancy, and reliability.
Roary Stasko, CEO of Telstra International, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting Telstra’s extensive experience in Pacific connectivity and its commitment to fostering economic growth in the region. Stasko underscored the importance of reliable, high-performance connectivity in supporting local economies and driving future development.
In addition to its involvement in the central Pacific Connect initiative, Telstra is partnering with Google on the Tabua cable project. This collaboration, combined with the central Pacific Connect initiative, promises to diversify the routes between Guam, Australia, and other Pacific islands, as well as between the US mainland and Australia.
Telstra International, a leading telecommunications and technology company with Australian roots, boasts a robust international presence, serving thousands of clients worldwide. With the largest wholly-owned subsea cable network in the Asia-Pacific region, Telstra International offers a comprehensive suite of technology solutions, including data and IP networks, managed services, unified communications, cloud services, and industry-specific solutions.
The company’s acquisition of Digicel Pacific in July 2022 further solidifies its position as a key player in the South Pacific mobile market. With licenses in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and access to over 2,000 Points of Presence (PoPs) globally, Telstra International is poised to continue driving innovation and connectivity across the Pacific region and beyond.
