Nauru breaks ground on first international submarine cable connection

The Nauru Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology , in partnership with the Nauru Fibre Cable Corporation, marked a pivotal milestone on 1 November, launching the civil works for Nauru's first international submarine cable connection. 

The groundbreaking ceremony signals the start of construction needed to land the telecommunications cable in Nauru, including the installation of a beach manhole, duct work and foundational structures for the upcoming cable landing station.

Connecting the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati and Nauru to the internet via submarine cable  is an AUD135 million collaboration between Nauru, Kiribati and FSM, and funding partners Australia via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), Japan and the United States. This includes an AIFFP grant of up to AUD65 million, with the six-country partnership aiming to bolster telecommunications across the Pacific, enhance connectivity and foster increased economic and social development opportunities.

By December 2025, the project will deliver faster, higher-quality and more reliable internet connectivity for over 100,000 residents across Nauru, Kiribati and FSM. 

This improved connectivity will enhance economic growth, enhance educational and healthcare access and support digital government services, providing communities with new opportunities for sustainable development.

Through the project, Australia is proud to support critical infrastructure development in the Pacific and the provision of resilient telecommunications assets, with the telecommunications cable to bring the Micronesian region closer together.

Learn more about the project.