Work has started on an undersea internet cable which will connect several Pacific Island states by 2021.
Photo: AFP
The 13,700km Southern Cross NEXT cable will connect Tokelau for the first time, as well landing points in Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.
Nokia's Alcatel Submarine Networks is building the network, which will be the largest capacity system between Australia and New Zealand and the US, its chief executive Philippe Piron said in a post on LinkedIn.
New Zealand is putting $US14.8 million toward connecting Tokelau to the cable, while the territory's government is contributing $US4.5 million.