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The Diplomat
3 days ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
Bridging the Pacific's Digital Divide: Why the West Must Act Together
The Pacific Island countries pose a litmus test for whether the West can offer a coherent and compelling alternative to China's digital sphere of influence. The Pacific is no longer an afterthought in global strategic competition. Stretching across a vast ocean, the region's scattered island nations are navigating a digital transition that will shape their economic development, national security, and geopolitical alignment. The question is no longer whether they will connect to the digital world, but through whom. For the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the European Union, this is a moment of strategic clarity. Closing the Pacific's digital divide is not just a development priority. It is a litmus test for whether the West can offer a coherent and compelling alternative to China's digital sphere of influence. Over the past five years, the Pacific has witnessed a flurry of digital infrastructure activity. From Australia-backed submarine cables to U.S.-led satellite internet trials, there is no shortage of attention. Projects like the Coral Sea Cable, the East Micronesia Cable, and the Southern Cross NEXT have boosted capacity. Starlink and OneWeb have begun filling coverage gaps in remote islands. Japan has deepened its digital cooperation through financing and technical training, while the EU's Global Gateway is cautiously extending to the region. But this patchwork of efforts, while valuable, lacks strategic coordination. In the absence of a shared approach, Pacific nations are often left to choose between fast, vertically integrated solutions from China, typically Huawei-backed, and slower, more fragmented support from Western partners. That binary choice risks drawing the region into deeper digital dependence on authoritarian-aligned technologies, governance models, and data flows. This is not hypothetical. China has been building out smart city projects, data centers, and national cloud platforms across parts of Melanesia and Polynesia. These systems come with bundled software, surveillance capabilities, and opaque contracts. The infrastructure itself is only half the story. The rest is about who sets the rules, who owns the data, and who can access it. The Western approach has been reactive rather than anticipatory. Funding exists, but often with caveats that slow deployment. Cyber capacity-building efforts, such as Australia's Cyber RAPID teams or U.S. support through the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, remain under-resourced. The Quad's Cable Resilience Initiative, launched in 2024, is a promising start but needs to be paired with investments in sovereign cloud, local exchange points, and regulatory support. The upcoming Pacific Cyber Week, hosted by the U.S. and Australian governments in partnership with regional allies, presents an opportunity to reset that trajectory. If used strategically, it could serve as a launchpad for coordinated investment in sovereign digital infrastructure, cyber capacity building, and resilient governance frameworks. It offers a credible alternative to China's expanding influence in the region. Most critically, there has been insufficient investment in local skills and institutions. Without digital engineers, regulators, and cybersecurity professionals on the ground, Pacific nations remain reliant on external providers, whoever they may be. And without coherent governance frameworks, these nations risk importing not just technology, but the values and vulnerabilities embedded within it. The West needs a shift in posture. This means treating digital development not as a soft-power accessory, but as a strategic pillar of its engagement in the Indo-Pacific. There are three immediate priorities. First, move beyond cables. Regional internet exchange points, sovereign data centers, and resilient power supplies are essential to digital autonomy. Joint financing mechanisms, drawing from existing initiatives in the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the EU, should support these assets. They must be built with openness, transparency, and interoperability in mind. Second, improve cybersecurity and trust architecture. Secure connectivity is only as strong as its weakest node. Western partners should expand regional cybersecurity programs with trusted standards, supply chain screening, and rapid response teams. The Five Eyes, the EU, and Japan can coordinate to deliver off-the-shelf cyber resilience support while helping Pacific nations build their own institutional capabilities. Third, invest in skills and digital literacy. Technical assistance should go beyond governance workshops. Scholarships, coding bootcamps, diaspora engagement programs, and local tech incubators are vital for long-term resilience. The goal should be Pacific-owned platforms and talent, not just Western-built systems. The Pacific is uniquely positioned to model an inclusive and sovereign approach to digital development. These nations are small enough for targeted support to be effective, yet geopolitically significant enough to influence norms beyond their borders. By helping Pacific partners leapfrog into secure, open digital ecosystems, the West can demonstrate the viability of its model to the broader Global South. But time is limited. China continues to scale its digital offer with speed and scale and does so with fewer concerns about transparency or sustainability. If the West remains fragmented, its influence will diminish, not through neglect, but through disorganization. The Pacific's digital future will be shaped by infrastructure, yes, but also by who is trusted to provide it. The United States and its allies must align their capabilities with their professed values, delivering trusted digital infrastructure that prioritizes sovereignty, security, and long-term capacity. That means acting together, not just in parallel. The digital contest in the Pacific is already underway. Winning it will not depend on the speed of cables alone. It will depend on the clarity of commitment, the quality of partnerships, and the willingness to treat connectivity as the new frontline of strategic influence.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bridging the digital divide
Listen to article Pakistan's failure to timely regulate the entry of satellite internet providers is yet another example of policy paralysis stifling progress. In a country where millions still lack reliable internet access, especially in remote and underserved regions, the arrival of satellite-based internet should have marked a turning point. Instead, we are once again caught reacting to circumstances that could - and should - have been anticipated. The expiration of Starlink's temporary no-objection certificate in March, and the subsequent regulatory freeze, was avoidable. Authorities are only now finalising the Satellite Communications Regulations, following heightened geopolitical sensitivities in the aftermath of regional conflicts. This reactive policymaking — triggered only once the pressure mounts — highlights the absence of institutional foresight. Pakistan had ample time to develop a forward-looking framework before granting provisional approvals. That it failed to do so speaks volumes about the state's approach to digital advancement. And yet, despite this mismanagement, there is a silver lining: the growing interest of multiple Low Earth Orbit satellite operators in entering Pakistan's market. Beyond Starlink, companies like OneWeb and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology have expressed intent to operate here. Their interest signals confidence in Pakistan's potential — a much-needed prospect for both technological advancement and foreign investment. The government must now rise to the occasion. This is a rare opportunity to diversify Pakistan's internet ecosystem and attract cutting-edge technology to boost digital inclusion. But for this promise to materialise, regulatory clarity and transparency are non-negotiable. Policymaking must be agile, not arbitrary. A future-ready Pakistan demands future-ready policies. The state must abandon its ad-hocism and commit to long-term planning — not just for satellite internet, but for the broader digital infrastructure that will define the country's trajectory in the years to come.
Canada Standard
10-07-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
UK to invest EUR163.3 million in French satcom firm Eutelsat; Macron says
Paris [France], July 10 (ANI): The UK will invest Euro 163.3 million in Paris-headquartered satellite communications company Eutelsat, retaining a 10.89 per stake, a company statement said Thursday. This additional investment commitment from the UK (The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom) will increase the total amount to be raised to Euro 1.5 billion, underpinning the execution of Eutelsat's long-term strategic vision. The other investors in Eutelsat are France's Agence des Participations de l'Etat, Bharti Space Limited, CMA CGM, FSP, and others. 'Thanks to our British friends as they continue to follow us on the Eutelsat adventure! We're over the moon to keep going with you. Together we go further!' French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. Macron is on a state visit to the UK. In June 2025, Macron, while speaking at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, had called for more investment from other countries as well such as India to team up with France. He had said 'This must be the solution for our major strategic partners in the Gulf, India, Canada and Brazil.' Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology added satellites underpin industrial activity worth Euro 364 billion to the UK economy. 'But their critical role extends far beyond economic growth,' noted Kyle. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman, Eutelsat Group stated: 'I am delighted that the UK has joined Bharti and the French State in announcing further investment in Eutelsat Group, and I thank Prime Minister Starmer for his vision and leadership on this matter.' 'Today, governments require secure and reliable sovereign connectivity solutions, and Eutelsat is uniquely positioned to meet this need. Eutelsat's OneWeb was the first complete low-Earth orbit constellation, and the company is the first and only provider able to provide customers with access to both low-Earth orbit and geostationary orbit services. This new capital injection will allow Eutelsat to go further and faster in developing innovative new technologies and services under the leadership of its new CEO, Jean-Francois Fallacher.' 'I echo President Macron's words at the Paris Air Show last month, where he urged France's major strategic partners in the Gulf, India, Canada and Brazil to join the coalition backing Eutelsat Group as the global Space Champion,' Mittal added. Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023. It is headquartered in Paris and the Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,500 people across more than 50 countries. (ANI)
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Bharti Space to invest additional ₹1,200 crore in Eutelsat
Bharti Space Ltd will invest an additional €120 million (about ₹ 1,204 crore) in French satellite operator Eutelsat Communications S.A. through a rights issue as part of the latter's €1.5 billion (over ₹ 15,000 crore) capital raising plan, the Starlink rival said in a statement on Thursday. This investment by Bharti Enterprises' space venture is in addition to ₹ 300 crore or €30 million, which it had committed earlier through a reserve capital increase process. Bharti Space holds a 24.09% stake in Eutelsat Group. On 19 June, Eutelsat announced that it is raising capital of €1.35 billion (around ₹ 11,250 crore)through a mix of a reserve capital increase worth €716 million ( ₹ 6,865 crore) and a rights issue of €634 million ( ₹ 6,330 crore). In the Thursday update, it increased the capital raising round size to €1.5 billion (over ₹ 15,000 crore) after the UK government committed to joining the fundraising round. The round now includes €828 million (around ₹ 8,304 crore) through reserve capital increase and a rights issue of €672 million (around ₹ 6,739 crore). Eutelsat expects the fundraising to be completed by the end of this year. To be sure, the UK government holds a 10.9% stake in Eutelsat currently. It has committed to invest a total of €163.3 million (around ₹ 1,638 crore). The satellite operator aims to use the fresh funds to pare debt and expand investments in satellite constellations, as it pushes to cement its role in the global space communications market, it said in the 19 June statement. 'Today, governments require secure and reliable sovereign connectivity solutions, and Eutelsat is uniquely positioned to meet this need. Eutelsat's OneWeb was the first complete low-earth orbit constellation, and the company is the first and only provider able to provide customers with access to both low-earth orbit and geostationary orbit services,' said Sunil Bharti Mittal, co-chairman of Eutelsat Group, in the Thursday statement. 'This new capital injection will allow Eutelsat to go further and faster in developing innovative new technologies and services under the leadership of its new chief executive, Jean-François Fallacher,' Mittal added. Bharti Space, along with other key investors—the French government, UK government, shipping major CMA CGM, and sovereign investor Fonds Stratégique de Participations (FSP)—will participate in both parts of the fundraising. Eutelsat said the commitments of the reserved capital increase by investors remain subject to shareholders' approvals at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, which will be held around the end of the September quarter. The same is also subject to other statutory approvals. With the investment commitment of a total of ₹ 1,500 crore, Bharti's shareholding in Eutelsat Group would be around 17.8%. The French government will become the largest shareholder with a 29.65% stake as it is investing €750 million (around ₹ 7,518 crore). In the merged entity of Eutelsat OneWeb, Bharti owns a 21% stake. Bharti's shareholding in the company will reduce as, post the fundraising via reserve capital increase and rights issue, Eutelsat's overall share capital will increase. This would lead to potential dilution. Eutelsat's reserved capital increase is being carried out at €4 per share, representing a 32% premium over the company's 30-day average share price on the Euronext Paris stock exchange as of 18 June's close. 'In the current environment, it is crucial that our countries continue to collaborate and support each other, including in space, which has become a key sovereign strategic asset. We remain committed to the UK, which we consider as one of our home markets, and to supporting the development of OneWeb to address the needs of all our sovereign and commercial stakeholders,' said Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat. The capital raise comes at a time of heightened activity in the satellite internet space, especially in India. OneWeb, now part of the Eutelsat Group, has received a licence from the Indian government to launch satellite internet services. However, the roll-out remains on hold as the department of telecommunications is yet to allocate spectrum for such services.
Canada News.Net
10-07-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
UK to invest EUR163.3 million in French satcom firm Eutelsat; Macron says "together we go further"
Paris [France], July 10 (ANI): The UK will invest Euro 163.3 million in Paris-headquartered satellite communications company Eutelsat, retaining a 10.89 per stake, a company statement said Thursday. This additional investment commitment from the UK (The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom) will increase the total amount to be raised to Euro 1.5 billion, underpinning the execution of Eutelsat's long-term strategic vision. The other investors in Eutelsat are France's Agence des Participations de l'Etat, Bharti Space Limited, CMA CGM, FSP, and others. 'Thanks to our British friends as they continue to follow us on the Eutelsat adventure! We're over the moon to keep going with you. Together we go further!' French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. Macron is on a state visit to the UK. In June 2025, Macron, while speaking at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, had called for more investment from other countries as well such as India to team up with France. He had said 'This must be the solution for our major strategic partners in the Gulf, India, Canada and Brazil.' Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology added satellites underpin industrial activity worth Euro 364 billion to the UK economy. 'But their critical role extends far beyond economic growth,' noted Kyle. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman, Eutelsat Group stated: 'I am delighted that the UK has joined Bharti and the French State in announcing further investment in Eutelsat Group, and I thank Prime Minister Starmer for his vision and leadership on this matter.' 'Today, governments require secure and reliable sovereign connectivity solutions, and Eutelsat is uniquely positioned to meet this need. Eutelsat's OneWeb was the first complete low-Earth orbit constellation, and the company is the first and only provider able to provide customers with access to both low-Earth orbit and geostationary orbit services. This new capital injection will allow Eutelsat to go further and faster in developing innovative new technologies and services under the leadership of its new CEO, Jean-Francois Fallacher.' 'I echo President Macron's words at the Paris Air Show last month, where he urged France's major strategic partners in the Gulf, India, Canada and Brazil to join the coalition backing Eutelsat Group as the global Space Champion,' Mittal added. Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023. It is headquartered in Paris and the Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,500 people across more than 50 countries. (ANI)
