$1.9b project plans to lay subsea fibre-optic cable from Darwin to Perth

A Western Australian company plans to start work next year on a $1.9b project to lay down 10,000km of subsea fibre-optic cable from Darwin to Perth and then up to Asia

• Government to spend $7.9 million in fibre-optic cable upgrade
• Plan to establish data centre in Darwin

A Western Australian company plans to start work next year on a $1.9b project to lay down 10,000km of subsea fibre-optic cable from Darwin to Perth and then up to Asia.

Tech company Fibre Expressway is looking to fund the $US1.5 billion ($1.9b) proposal — named Project Koete — by $US650 million in senior debt and $US850 million in equity.

The project, which is due to be completed by 2025, will pair a 10,000km high-speed subsea cable with three data centres located in Darwin, Perth and Dampier.

Fibre Expressway CEO Gary Kennedy said the cable would be 5G enabled with the inclusion of 16 fibre pairs.

“This will be the most significant technological investment Western Australia and the Northern Territory have ever seen,” he said.

“As the economy increasingly digitises, this investment signals to Australia, Asia Pacific and the rest of the world that this region is ready to become a digital hub.”

Telco Vocus Group is also planning to create an “express route” from Darwin to Singapore by connecting an existing fibre-optic cable network that goes from Darwin to Port Hedland in WA to their Australian Singapore cable.

Mr Kennedy said Fibre Expressway was more targeted towards the mining and resources sector.

A Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet spokesman said they were very supportive of the project and would work closely with the company once a final investment decision was completed.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Project Koete would help Darwin on its path towards becoming a major job creating a digital economy and a serious global player.

“The private sector is backing this vision. Once again, all roads on this lead into, or through, Darwin,” he said.

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“HyperOne, Project Echo and now Project Koete will provide us with lightning-fast digital interconnection with some of Asia’s largest markets and some of our key trading partners.

“Darwin is the logical place for data centres, and these private sector investments will drive further growth in data-driven industries where we already have a competitive edge, like renewables, defence, space and agriculture.”

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