Sea cable to connect island nation to US, Australia

A DEAL has been signed to fast-track the digital transformation of New Caledonia, connecting the country directly to the United States, Australia and New Zealand at much more competitive pricing.
The deal was signed by the Société Calédonienne de Connectivité Internationale (SCCI), a carrier recently incorporated in New Caledonia, and the Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP.
The multi-million dollar contract is to provide SCCI with a solution to connect the island nation to Hawaiki, including a subsea branch to capital city Noumea.
The new cable benefits from a customised network design, including connection of both New Caledonia’s main island and the Isle of Pines.
The new cable is named Tomoo, the local nââ kwênyii word for the “tricot rayé”, an indigenous sea snake which is a source of protection according to tribal legends.
“This project is critical not only for the development of the Isle of Pines, but for the whole territory of New Caledonia,” Isle of Pines’ high chief Hilarion Vendégou said.
The connection of the Hawaiki cable to New Caledonia also heralds a new era for the nation, which currently has only one submarine cable connection operated by the incumbent government-owned carrier.