Funafuti, Tuvalu – 24 October 2025 – The Government of Tuvalu officially launched the Vaka Submarine Cable, a first international subsea cable connection for the island nation marking a historic milestone in the nation’s digital transformation journey. The new undersea cable will deliver faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet connectivity across Tuvalu, strengthening access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and global information networks.
The Vaka Cable project was developed by the Government of Tuvalu through Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation, with support from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States, and implemented in partnership with Google as the technical partner, alongside CIENA and local contractors.
“The Vaka cable is more than an infrastructure project, it sets the stage for Tuvalu’s transformation into a digital nation,” wrote Hon. Simon Kofe, Minister for Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation in a LinkedIn post. “This connection gives every Tuvaluan; from students and entrepreneurs to health professionals and cultural custodians, the opportunity to participate in the global digital community.”
Vaka represents the idea of connection and progress, inspired by the traditional Tuvalu canoe, called vaka. In the past, the vaka was used for traveling, trading, and sharing culture across vast oceans symbolizing strength, exploration, and togetherness. Today, Vaka serves as a digital link connecting Tuvalu to the rest of the world. More than a means of communication, it embodies Tuvalu’s aspirations for growth, development, and global understanding. The Vaka Cable will reshape daily life by providing schools with better access to online learning, enabling doctors to consult specialists abroad, and opening new opportunities for small businesses and public services and more. Beyond technology, it offers a platform for preserving and sharing Tuvalu’s rich cultural heritage, connecting communities both locally and globally.
The journey to bring the cable ashore was not without challenges. Technical complexities, including seabed mapping and permit processes, required careful coordination. Yet, through strong collaboration among partners and the enthusiastic involvement of local communities, these challenges became opportunities to build national capacity and pride.
The Vaka Cable also represents a key step in implementing the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, specifically Measure 2.1.1, which calls for expanding submarine cable infrastructure across the Pacific leading to a significant drop in the cost of the internet and a rise in internet speed and penetration. By enhancing connectivity and affordability, Tuvalu is helping to advance regional efforts toward inclusive and sustainable digital economies.
As a new lifeline of connectivity, the Vaka Cable stands as a symbol of resilience and vision; a story of a nation taking its place in the digital world.