Narayan AmmachchiChile has joined hands with Google to lay a 14,000-kilometer undersea optical cable that will directly connect South America to the Asia-Pacific region.
Named the Humboldt Cable, the project marks the first direct digital link between the two continents, running from Valparaíso, Chile, to Sydney, Australia, via French Polynesia.
Installation is scheduled to begin in 2025, with operations expected to go live by the end of 2026.
Designed with a transmission capacity of 144 terabits per second and a lifespan of 25 years, the cable will significantly enhance Chile’s digital infrastructure. It will complement existing submarine links, including the one connecting Chile to the U.S., and solidify the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for digital connectivity.
The Humboldt project is expected to boost sectors such as data processing, software development, and AI deployment by providing faster and more direct data transmission between South America and Oceania. Neighboring countries — including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay — are also likely to benefit from improved connectivity.
Google is expected to invest between $300 million and $550 million in the project, while the Chilean government is contributing $25 million.
The idea for a transpacific cable dates back to former President Michelle Bachelet’s term (2014–2016). Early talks included Huawei as a possible partner, but shifting geopolitical dynamics—particularly U.S. pressure — ultimately led Chile to select Google.
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