Google and Chile sign agreement to deploy trans-Pacific submarine cable
SANTIAGO: Alphabet's
Google
signed an agreement with the Chilean government during a meeting on Wednesday to deploy a 14,800-kilometer (9,196-mile) submarine data cable across the Pacific Ocean to connect with Australia and Asia, set to be operational by 2027.
The pact, the first of its kind between the technology giant and a country, aims to bolster Chile's digital connectivity with Asian nations, including China, Chile's largest trading partner, while advancing its ambitions to become a regional hub for Latin America.
"It's the first submarine cable in the South Pacific, so it's an important commitment in that we have an extraordinary strategic partner for a cable that should be operational in 2027," Transport Minister Juan Carlos Munoz told journalists.
Cristian Ramos, head of telecommunications infrastructure for Alphabet's Latin American unit, said the cable would be open for use by other entities, including technology firms operating in Chile.
The initiative coincides with intensifying competition between China and the United States for influence in Latin America, with submarine cables emerging as crucial infrastructure in their technological rivalry.
While the total investment in the project remains undisclosed, Chilean officials had previously estimated costs ranging from $300 million to $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million, according to Patricio Rey, general manager of Desarrollo Pais, a state-owned partner in the venture.
Authorities suggested the cable could enhance the performance of Asian platforms like TikTok, facilitate astronomical data transmission, and support mining operations in both Chile and Australia.
"Mining companies that have operations in Chile and Australia, by having a direct route, we can think about a shared command center... where the command centers can support each other," said Deputy Secretary of Telecommunications Claudio Araya.
The cable, connecting Valparaiso in Chile's central region to Australia, is scheduled for deployment next year. Chile's state Desarrollo Pais is also looking into linking the cable to Argentina via a border crossing.
Partners aim to identify an operator to commercialize the cable's capacity, though a selection may not be finalized before year-end.
Araya said the initiative could attract similar ventures to connect South America with Asia. Separately, Chile is planning a submarine cable to link the southern tip of South America with Antarctica, primarily for research purposes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Too ‘founder-y' to hire, not corporate enough to fit in: Former startup owner's candid job hunt post strikes a chord on Reddit
It's a story that doesn't get much attention, TED talks, or VC applause—but one that's becoming increasingly common. A Reddit post on r/StartUpIndia from a former Indian startup founder has opened the floodgates of empathy and brutal truth about the aftermath of a failed entrepreneurial journey . After building a health-focused food and beverage product with two friends—bootstrapping, multitasking, and learning everything from scratch—he now finds himself lost in a job market that doesn't know where to place him. 'We Built, We Burned, Now What?' The post reads like a quiet elegy to a dream that once soared. The founder speaks of wearing every possible hat—from marketing and finance to customer support and design. No AI tools then, just endless Google searches and YouTube tutorials. Despite the hustle, the venture hit a ceiling—unable to scale, with no funds left to pump in. His partners stepped away, and the founder reluctantly began job hunting, only to be met with silence or, worse, rejection for being 'overqualified,' 'too founder-y,' or 'not domain-specific enough.' The Dilemma of the 'Misfit' He's not asking for a CXO role. Just a chance to contribute—to bring the value of lived, practical experience into structured setups. But the corporate world, as netizens pointed out, often sees people like him as unsafe bets. 'They want people who can innovate within their control,' one user wrote, echoing a harsh truth. In a system that prizes predictability over potential, founders are sometimes viewed with suspicion. Netizens Share Brutal Truths and Hope The post has garnered strong, supportive reactions from fellow Redditors and professionals. One suggested looking into startups within the same industry. Another spoke about the Indian corporate system's rigidity when it comes to reabsorbing former entrepreneurs. 'You, my friend, will have to search harder,' they wrote. Yet another comment advised the path of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR), using past mistakes as fuel for new guidance. There's also a silver lining. As one commenter noted, 'Take one skill you truly own… and share it.' Whether through learning platforms, consultancy, or new ventures, those hard-earned insights don't need to die quietly. They can be repurposed and rebranded. Because in this era of AI-led disruption and rapid change, real experience still holds immense, if underappreciated, power. The Bottom Line Not all founder stories end with acquisition, IPOs, or Forbes covers. Some end in silence, in resumes ignored, in doors half-open. But these quiet chapters deserve to be told—because they are real, raw, and deeply human. And perhaps, like the Redditor in question, others floating in the 'in-between' will find solace in knowing they're not alone.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
WWDC 2025: Apple could let developers use its AI models to build new features, says report
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference is all set to take off from 9 June, marking the Cupertino-based tech giant's second-biggest event of the year where it demonstrates all its software prowess. Over the last year, Apple has received a lot of flak for its patchy rollout of new software updates, along with delays in AI features, some of which still haven't arrived. However, the company will likely try to shift attention from those concerns as it focuses on a major rebrand with the unveiling of iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, a significant departure from the current naming scheme used by Cupertino. Gurman says the new AI features to be unveiled by Apple at WWDC 2025 will be minor and are unlikely to impress industry watchers, especially at a time when the pace of AI progress is accelerating, with companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI announcing new products almost every month. Among the AI features Apple is reportedly planning this year is a systemwide push into translation. The Translate functionality will be integrated across Apple operating systems as part of Apple Intelligence, with its main use case being live translation of phone calls and text messages. Gurman adds that the biggest AI-related announcement by Apple will be opening up its large language models (LLMs), the building blocks behind Apple Intelligence, to outside app developers. This will allow them to build their own AI features using the same technology that powers tools like Genmoji and Apple's writing aids. Apple is also expected to announce an upgraded version of its foundation models for both on-device and cloud use at WWDC 2025. Notably, developers will be given access to the on-device version of these LLMs. In terms of other AI announcements, there is unlikely to be any update on Apple's long awaited Siri revamp. Moreover, the Apple's partnership with Google to use Gemini in its apps is also unlikely to be announced at this year's WWDC.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What more to expect from Paraguayan President's visit
A lot can happen over a maiden visit of a State leader. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's three day long maiden visit to India from June 2- 4 presents a momentum in turning point in the ties of New Delhi and Asuncion, the capital of the landlocked, riverine nation. An economist by degree and occupation, President Peña brings a data-driven perspective to governance, viewing society through analytical metrics not just by his political ideology and preconceived principles, drawing from office. Prior to assuming the presidency, President Pena was the finance minister and once led the Central Bank of Paraguay. President Peña's maiden visit after a brief gap of any leader's visit to India occurs at an time when China has almost no naysayers in Latin America. Paraguay is the only country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Strategically, India and Paraguay share a common outlook on supporting Taiwan's autonomy. In December, Paraguay expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for alleged interference in its internal affairs. During his visit to New Delhi, President Peña held comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues. He emphasized that Paraguay produces enough food to feed ten times its own population. The nation possesses an intimate knowledge of the soil, yet remains bereft of technological acumen. Agritech and high-tech collaboration are essential between two aspiring nations. India is a perfect match in advancing its ambition for global food security through such partnerships. Interestingly, Paraguay also produces stevia, a natural sweetener permitted in India; however, Indian importers currently rely mostly on China and the US. There is clear scope for Indian players to tap into Paraguay as a new and reliable source. Paraguay's export portfolio is traditionally reserved to the periphery, with most of its trade directed to China, Brazil, and Argentina. However, it is now actively seeking to diversify its partners. As a landlocked nation with no coastline to secure, Paraguay benefits from a relatively low defence burden. It borders Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest—all trade partners, not threats. Given its strategic central location in South America, Paraguay could serve as a valuable regional hub for India to access broader Latin American markets. Both countries are eager to strengthen and expand their existing trade links under the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. However, consensus among all five MERCOSUR member states is required to expand any talks between India and MERCOSUR. Paraguay's trade with China is about $5 billion plus whereas with India time to time differs from $130 million to $470 million. India wouldn't be in a position to reach anything near that China's export but it should rapidly increase the trade volume. India's advances in IT, digitalisation, innovation, and platforms like UPI and UIDAI have drawn interest from many South American countries, including Paraguay. Paraguay has historically maintained modest defence expenditures, but recent years have seen a shift in strategy. As India begins producing AK-203 assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Russia, there is growing interest in expanding defence cooperation. Paraguay may consider imports of defence and surveillance items for traditional as well as cyber threats, including Indian-manufactured small arms and police equipment. Paraguay has overcome its traumatic past marked by two wars - the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, which resulted in the loss of a large part of its territory and left the nation devastated for decades. And the other, Chaco War against Bolivia (1932–1935). Despite being landlocked, Paraguay is crisscrossed by large rivers and generates nearly all its electricity from hydroelectric sources. The Itaipu Dam, a joint operation with Brazil, supplies about 90% of Paraguay's electricity. India's capabilities in riverine and flood data management, as well as weather prediction, could be of immense value to Paraguay's hydro-focused energy sector. Given Paraguay's extensive river systems, there may also be opportunities for India and Paraguay to exchange knowledge or develop initiatives related to riverine connectivity - benefiting from each other's experience as major riverine nations. A member of the Lima Group, Paraguay is a vocal supporter of reforming the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral institutions, including global financial systems. India, with its rich civilizational heritage and growing global influence, is well-positioned to build a deep and enduring relationship with Paraguay—one that spans not just trade, but also for a defiant advocate of multipolarity. For an economist or a social scientist, society is the largest laboratory. During his visit, President Peña has already engaged with numerous leaders and heads of institutions. He showed particular interest in the Vande Bharat trains and connectivity projects, signalling plans to explore and possibly collaborate in these areas. Paraguay, a nation of around seven million people is a vast agrarian country, with approximately 40% of its territory covered in forest. It also possesses rich mineral resources, including critical minerals such as uranium and lithium which are in demand in India. Paraguay has had its share of challenges despite being a high performer in the agriculture sector. India should come forward identifying and helping to eradicate them. With its brigade of travel influencers, India must promote the nation's civilisation-based tourism and Spanish speaking youtubers bring more visitors to India. Paraguay is dire need of applied technology especially IT. Business ties between India and Paraguay could expand beyond meat and soybean exports. Major Indian automobile companies are already present in Paraguay, but there is scope for exporting superior tech-driven mobility equipment such as two-wheelers, lifts, elevators, and goods transporters. This article is authored by Ayanangsha Maitra, journalist, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South, UAE.
