The Hawaiki undersea cable officially landed in American Samoa over the weekend with the promise of high-speed internet and improved telecommunications for the territory.
Anchored about 1,000 feet off the shore of Fogagogo, in American Samoa on 21 April the vessel , Responder, laying the Hawaiki cable to the Fogagogo landing station. Photo: RNZ Pacific /Fili Sagapolutele
The fibre optic cable, a branch of the system running from the United States to New Zealand, landed via the vessel Responder which was anchored offshore laying the cable to the Fogagogo landing station.
Speaking at the cable landing ceremony on Saturday, Hawaiki CEO Remi Galasso said it would provide strategic infrastructure for American Samoa and make it one of the most connected territories in the Pacific.
He explained the cable system, which runs from Oregon to Hawaii then to Australia and New Zealand, included four branching units connecting New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa, the first to be connected.
Mr Galasso said the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority would now be able to supply high speed internet to the whole territory as well as neighbouring countries.
Hawaiki chief executive officer, Remi Galasso, on Apr. 21 at Fogagogo in American Samoa marking the landing of Hawaiki undersea fiber optic cable. Photo: RNZ Pacific /Fili Sagapolutele