Tuvalu launches submarine cable; government offers free internet service

Simon Kofe, Tuvalu's communications minister, led the Oct. 24, 2025, ceremony marking the launch of the Vaka Submarine Internet Cable in the capital of Funafuti. Photo courtesy of Tuvalu government/Facebook

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Funafuti— The Tuvalu government is offering free internet service nationwide to mark the recent launch of the Vaka Submarine Internet Cable, which has opened a new chapter in the nation’s drive for connectivity.

With the new cable breaking Tuvalu's decades of isolation and limited access to markets and services, the government announced plans to double data plans and eventually provide its citizens with permanent free internet access.

"This is a moment that defines our past, present and future," Simon Kofe, communications minister, said at the project launch on Oct. 24.

The Tuvalu Vaka Cable is the first international telecommunications cable connecting Funafuti, the nation's capital, to the trunk of the Bulikula cable system, part of Google's Pacific Connect initiative.

Foreign donors, including Australia, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, New Zealand, and Google, funded the $56 million project, which was developed by Tuvalu Telecommunications Corp.

“It’s a reminder that, with faith in God, strong leadership and steadfast partnerships, we can overcome the greatest challenges and unlock new opportunities for our people," Kofe said.

Officials said the cable launch, which was one of the Tuvalu government’s 21 national priorities, "will improve communication, education, business and access to essential services, supporting the government’s vision for a connected and resilient nation."

“This moment calls us all to build on this infrastructure, develop our skills, and innovate for a brighter future,” Kofe said.

The cable project is named after the traditional Tuvalu canoe, or "vaka," which historically served as a vessel for journeying, trade and cultural exchange across vast oceans.

In Tuvalu culture, vaka represents connectivity and progress. The Tuvalu Vaka Cable symbolizes a modern link —a digital bridge connecting Tuvalu to the world.

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