NBTC Approves Google Subsea Cable Plan

Thailand’s telecom regulator, the NBTC, has approved a new subsea cable project in collaboration with Google, aiming to enhance digital connectivity. The project involves International Gateway Co. and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, and includes laying over 300 kilometres of subsea cables linking Thailand to Australia’s Christmas Island.

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The NBTC’s approval comes under the 2001 Telecommunications Business Act, focusing on establishing a landing point in Thailand. This project is part of Google Cloud's TalayLink initiative, aiming to fortify digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific. The TalayLink will form a crucial part of Thailand's existing subsea cable networks, complementing other systems and bolstering connectivity beyond terrestrial links mostly reliant on Singapore.

This development forms a key part of Google's 30 billion baht investment in Thailand and is associated with Australia Connect, a strategy to enhance regional digital resilience. Experts suggest this will be pivotal in advancing Thailand's digital economy, supporting AI and broader digital inclusion.

Looking forward, the subsea cable network is set to link with Google's planned cloud region in Thailand, ensuring robust data connectivity. New connectivity hubs are also planned for Western Australia and southern Thailand to accommodate increasing regional demands, promising enhanced digital infrastructure across Southeast Asia and beyond.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 27 Apr 2026