The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce says a fibre optic cable connecting the country to international networks would be a game changer for the telecommunications industry and businesses that rely on fast, affordable internet.
The Chamber has asked the Telecommunications Minister Mark Brown to help inform an Asian Development Bank feasibility study into a submarine fibre optic cable being laid from the Cooks.
In its submission, the Chamber says the capital, Rarotonga, is finding constraints on communications are limiting business opportunities.
It says with the population being depleted as the workforce emigrates for better opportunities it is crucial that the Cook Islands can provide first-world standard communications.