PAPE’ETE, 07 AUGUST 2018 (RNZ PACIFIC) – A ceremony has been held on Hao atoll in French Polynesia to mark the arrival of the underwater fibre optic cable from Tahiti.
The ship Ile de Batz, belonging to Alcatel Submarine Networks, arrived from Papeete, extending the network by about 1,000 kilometres.
Local authorities welcomed the upgrade as a massive Chinese fish farm is being built in Hao.
The communications project, known as Natitua, is expected to cost about US$65 million.
The ship will next hook up Makemo, Fakarava, Arutua, Kaukura, Rangiroa, Manihi, Takaroa in the Tuamotus.
In a further step, the cable will connect the Marquesas.
