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Tonga will improve its internet reliability through a second undersea cable, the Tonga Hawaii Feeder System, thanks to a joint NZ$42 million (US$32 million) investment from Australia and New Zealand.
Tongan Prime Minister Huakawameliku said: “The project will provide greater resilience for Tonga’s communications. Both cables will be operational. If one cable fails, traffic will be rerouted through the other cable.”
The 383-kilometer cable will connect Tonga to the existing Hawaiian Trans-Pacific Cable System, increasing redundancy and reducing the risk of disruption. This is critical for Tonga, which has suffered disruptions from previous undersea cable outages—one in 2019 due to a ship anchor and another in 2022 due to the eruption of the Honga Tonga Hongaha’apai volcano.
“The cable route survey also took into account avoiding volcanic areas,” said Australian High Commissioner Brek Bratley, stressing the project’s focus on long-term durability.
Prime Minister Huacavalliku believes that improving connectivity is a key step in achieving his vision of free internet for education. “Making education accessible and providing students with online resources is how we invest in our young people,” he said.
Australia’s support for the project is expected to help Tonga control domestic internet costs. “With two cables, Tonga will be able to negotiate cheaper rates, making internet services more affordable,” the Prime Minister noted.
Digital infrastructure operator BW Digital will work with Tonga Cable Limited to oversee the delivery of the project, with the aim of completing it by the end of 2025.
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