Australia’s Connectivity to the World: Limited to 15 Underwater Internet Cables at Risk from Fishing Boats, Spies, and Natural Disasters

Australia’s government has announced plans to invest A$18m over four years in a new centre aimed at protecting the undersea cables that power the country’s internet. The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre will safeguard critical undersea telecommunications cables in the Indo-Pacific region from deliberate interference or accidental damage. The internet contributes over $167bn annually to Australia’s economy, making the protection of these cables crucial. The centre will provide technical assistance and training across the region and support other governments in developing better policies for undersea cables. It will also help Australia position itself as a key digital security provider in the region. The move reflects a shift towards a more diplomatic approach to digital infrastructure security and mitigating China’s influence in the sector.