Pacific's undersea internet cables tangled up in geopolitical tensions

Pacific Islands without high-speed internet - or any internet at all - are eager to be connected to the rest of the world, but geopolitical tensions threaten to derail planned infrastructural work.

Much of the Pacific is linked by undersea internet cables, connecting either to Sydney, Guam or Hawaii, and while connections have increased in recent years, many countries still rely on a single cable or have none at all.

But as Chinese companies become more involved in laying undersea cables, geopolitical concerns about security/spying have caused some planned projects to be axed.

Currently Nauru, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia are looking at other options for high-speed internet, after concerns about a Chinese bid for the contract forced the World Bank to can the project.

It's now looking at opportunities to connect to the United States, or to Australia, via the Solomon Islands.

Kathryn speaks with Dr Amanda Watson, a research fellow in the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University.