Chorus, Datagrid to build 6,000km submarine cable

• Chorus and Datagrid propose a trans-Tasman cable to enhance New Zealand’s connectivity and AI competitiveness.
• The Tasman Ring Network will link New Zealand and Australia with high-speed, resilient international transport links.

What happened:New trans-Tasman cable boosts connectivity and resilience

New Zealand telecommunications provider Chorus and digital infrastructure company Datagrid have signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Tasman Ring Network, a 6,000-km trans-Tasman submarine cable. The project aims to connect Auckland, New Plymouth, Greymouth, Invercargill, Sydney, and Melbourne via high-capacity international links, significantly boosting internet speed and resilience.

With an estimated capacity of 540 terabits per second, the Tasman Ring will be the first high-fibre-count cable between New Zealand and Australia. Scheduled for completion by Q4 2027, it will include four landing sites on New Zealand’s west coast, enhancing internet capacity, particularly for the South Island.

Also read: Inligo launches ambitious Cable Landing Station in Darwin Also read: Meta’s $10B global subsea cable plan unveiled

What’s important:

This ambitious project positions New Zealand to become a hub for AI development and cloud computing. Datagrid CEO Perrine Dhalluin highlighted the cable’s role in enabling a 240MW sustainable AI training centre in Southland, which has abundant renewable energy but lacks sufficient international connectivity

Chorus executive Mike Shirley added that the project supports New Zealand’s entry into the global AI market, leveraging the increasing demand for cloud solutions and resilient data infrastructure.

The Tasman Ring Network also strengthens New Zealand’s digital resilience by diversifying international connectivity, reducing dependence on existing cables. The tender process to select a submarine cable supplier will commence after the Pacific Telecommunications Conference in January 2025.