Google's role in building the Humboldt submarine cable
Introduction
Google is set to start a pilot project, the construction of a new submarine cable called Humboldt. The cable will connect Chile to Australia via French Polynesia and is the first of its kind to connect South America directly to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cable Humbolt: A Revolutionary Endeavor
Named after renowned German scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the Humboldt Cable ranks among the more than 12 similar cables Google has invested in over the past 15 years. Google began its entry into submarine cable in 2010 with the Unity cable, which stretches 9,656 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean from California to Japan.
The evolution of Google's undersea projects
Building on the success of previous projects such as the Korean project, which connects California and Chile, Google partnered with Desarrollo País in Chile and the Post and Telecommunications Office in French Polynesia to create a 14,800-kilometer cable. This collaborative effort is a departure from Google's individual approach in previous cable projects.
Humboldt's impact on global data transmission
While Google has not disclosed the completion date of the Humboldt project, its design is in line with the company's commitment to boosting global data transfers. Humboldt will work alongside other Google infrastructure projects, including Chile's local data centers, promising low latency for Google customers and strengthening the strong internet infrastructure in the countries involved.
Collaborative investments in submarine cables
In the broader context, tech giants such as Meta, Microsoft and Amazon, along with Google as part of the quartet, are said to own or lease nearly half of the bandwidth of submarine cables. This collective investment underscores the strategic importance of submarine cables in shaping the digital landscape.
The Humboldt submarine cable represents Google's commitment to providing its customers with quick access to data. As part of the South Pacific Connect initiative, Humboldt contributes to the digital connectivity of French Polynesia and Chile, reinforcing Google's position in shaping global digital infrastructure.
Q&A Section
Q1: What distinguishes Humboldt cable from other submarine cables?
A1: The Humboldt cable is a pioneer because it connects South America directly to Asia Pacific, enhancing global data transmission capabilities.
Second question: How does Google's collaborative approach with Desarrollo País and the Post and Telecommunications Office benefit the project?
A2: Collaborating with local entities ensures project execution more smoothly and reflects a move away from previous individual Google projects in submarine cable projects.
Q3: What is the importance of submarine cables in the wider technology landscape?
A3: Submarine cables, in which big tech companies are collectively investing, play a pivotal role in shaping the global digital infrastructure, enabling seamless data transfer.
Meta description: Explore Google's flagship project, the Humboldt Submarine Cable, which connects Chile to Australia via French Polynesia. Learn about its impact on global data transmission and collaborative efforts in submarine cable investments.