Chile has signed a landmark agreement with Google to construct the first submarine fiber optic cable connecting South America directly to Asia and Oceania.
The ambitious Humboldt Project, scheduled for completion by 2027, aims to enhance global digital connectivity and data resilience.
Announced during a formal ceremony in Santiago, Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren emphasized the strategic importance of the project, calling it a step toward diversifying digital infrastructure and strengthening international collaboration. The undersea cable will span approximately 14,800 kilometers (9,200 miles), linking Valparaíso on Chile’s Pacific coast with Sydney, Australia, via French Polynesia.
Currently, Chile connects to the wider internet primarily through North America. The Humboldt Project will offer a significantly faster and more direct route for data traffic across the Pacific, promising reduced latency and increased bandwidth capacity. The cable is expected to benefit not only Chile but also regional neighbors including Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
Cristian Ramos, Alphabet’s Director of Telecommunications Infrastructure for Latin America, confirmed that the new fiber network will be available to multiple users beyond Google, opening opportunities for technology firms across the continent.
Initially unveiled in January 2024, the cable will feature a capacity of 144 terabytes per second and is designed for a 25-year lifespan. Chilean Telecommunications Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz highlighted its potential to revolutionize sectors such as telemedicine by dramatically cutting signal transmission delays.
Google is investing an estimated $300 million to \$550 million in the project, while the Chilean government has pledged $25 million. The cable marks a major milestone in digital infrastructure and positions Chile as a critical hub in the evolving landscape of global internet connectivity.
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