Coral Sea cable

The recipients were chosen for their contribution to ICT and the digital economy in PNG, and are largely women.

“The women and men we recognise today are all making an important contribution to PNG’s future. Their potential will only grow once the Coral Sea Cable is online in 2020,” Australian Deputy High Commissioner Caitlin Wilson said when presenting the dedication certificates at the Australian High Commission on Thursday, 11 December.

In a statement, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne, said: “The 4,700km undersea cable will deliver faster, more affordable and more reliable communications to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

“Australia is committed to supporting Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to grow their economies sustainably, including by bridging the digital divide. Currently only around 11 percent of the population of these countries have access to the internet.

Over 4,700km of cable will be laid on the ocean floor from Port Moresby to Honiara and Sydney, with work to be completed in late 2019. The underwater fibre optic cable will provide significantly faster internet to PNG when completed. With a capacity of up to 20 terabits the new cable is 20,000 times the capacity of the current APNG cable to Sydney.

The Australian High Commission says the new Coral Sea Cable has the potential to unlock new opportunities for growth and connectivity across PNG.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently in Port Moresby.

According to both governments, this new Cable System will better connect Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia through the installation of undersea telecommunication cables.

The project will enable high speed internet capability to PNG, resulting in significant improvements to internet reliability and quality.