The French government has reaffirmed its commitment to a vital submarine cable link for French Polynesia, and says other countries are also likely to step up with funding.
The French minister in charge of overseas territories, Christian Estrosi, says he expects Australia and the European Union will help pay for the long-awaited project.
The cable, carrying faster and more reliable phone and internet services, will eventually connect French Polynesia north to Hawaii and west to Australia via New Caledonia.
An Australian-based telecommunications analyst, Tim Marshall, says cable links are becoming increasingly necessary for Pacific territories currently relying on satellite.
The Tahiti-Hawaii cable is expected to cost more than 100 million U-S dollars.
