Chile, Google Sign Deal for 14,800km Pacific Submarine Cable

Google has partnered with the Chilean government to build the Humboldt Connect, a 14,800-kilometer submarine fiber optic cable linking Chile’s Valparaíso with Sydney, Australia, via French Polynesia, with operations expected to begin in 2027. This project, the first of its kind directly connecting South America with Oceania, aims to establish Chile as a regional digital hub and leader in artificial intelligence in Latin America, supporting industries like mining, software development, and AI. The $300 million to $550 million venture is a 50-50 joint effort between Google and Chile’s state-owned Desarrollo País, and the cable will be open to other companies, enhancing connectivity with Asia-Pacific, including Chile’s largest trading partner, China. Chilean officials emphasize this infrastructure's role in broadening secure, efficient digital routes for neighboring countries and fostering international integration amidst geopolitical competition between China and the U.S. The project is also expected to attract significant investment from technology, mining, and banking sectors in both Chile and Australia. Additionally, Wall Street analysts project strong growth for Alphabet Inc., with a consensus “Outperform” rating and a potential stock price upside of nearly 20%, partly driven by this groundbreaking connectivity initiative.