Google launches CNMI into the forefront of $1B undersea cable expansion investment

The CNMI is about to be propelled into the modern digital age with an infusion of millions of dollars from global giant Google thanks to the company’s partnership with its governor, Arnold Palacios, that will soon connect undersea cables from the CNMI to Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and the continental United States.

According to Brian Quigley, Google’s vice president of global network infrastructure, today the company announced a $1 billion construction project to expand its transPacific development of underwater cables that will connect Japan, Hawaii, the continental United States, and the Mariana Islands, along with several places throughout the south Pacific (i.e. Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, etc.).

“In collaboration with several partners — including KDDI, ARTERIA, Citadel Pacific, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) — these cables will create new fiber-optic routes between the continental U.S. and Japan in support of Google’s Japan Digitization Initiative, while improving the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity between the U.S., Japan, and multiple Pacific Island countries and territories,” Mr. Quigley wrote.

According to a chart and the information Mr. Quigley provided, undersea cables will be connected from the CNMI to Guam, Japan, Hawaii, and the continental U.S. While Guam will be connected directly to Japan and Hawaii, it will not have a direct line to the U.S. mainland as the CNMI will.

“Google will also fund the construction of an interlink cable connecting Hawaii, the CNMI, and Guam,” Mr. Quigley wrote. “This interlink will connect the transpacific routes, improving their reliability and reducing latency for users in the Pacific Islands and around the world.”

“We are deeply honored to have the privilege of naming the cable ‘Proa’ and participating in the unveiling of this transformative network set to revolutionize connectivity in the CNMI,” Quigley attributed to Mr. Palacios as saying. “The name ‘Proa’, drawing inspiration from our traditional sailing canoes, encapsulates the essence of connectivity and cultural heritage. It signifies the collaborative journey this project embodies, reflecting resilience and progress as we collectively move towards a future brimming with opportunities and prosperity for our islands. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Google for their steadfast dedication to including the CNMI in the Pacific Connect Initiative, perfectly aligning with our vision for a more connected, resilient, and technologically advanced Pacific region.”

According to Mr. Palacios’ special assistant for broadband development and policy, Glen Hunter, the development, which will give the CNMI direct internet connections to the mainland U.S., Japan, and Hawaii, is game changing.

“What it means for the general public should be more competition, better speeds, lower latency, and more affordable service,” Mr. Hunter said. “They will provide links into the CNMI that directly connect to the backbone of the internet. Currently we connect through Guam which then connects to the West coast. At the heart of those connections is what’s called a core node. The core node for the Marianas is one of three on the Pacific Connect Initiative Network. One is in French Polynesia. one is in Fiji, and one is in the Marianas. Each of those core nodes will have mirrored ICT facilities which basically will contain the heart of the internet.”

He added, “Eventually what it means to the CNMI is it puts us on the map for the first time ever when it comes to digital connectivity at a global level.”