French Polynesia discusses cable with Chile

12:41 pm on 9 September 2019

The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch has been in discussions with Chile about linking up with a submarine cable.

ERDF (Electricity Network Distribution France) and Louis Dreyfus company install an electric submarine cable and optical fiber between Quiberon and Belle-Ile-en-mer, western France, in 2015.

Photo: AFP

Mr Fritch discussed the concept with Chile's president Sebastian Pinera in Santiago.

It follows Mr Fritch's talks on the project in Paris in June with the French secretary of state on digital matters Cedric O.

In Santiago, the French Polynesian president also reportedly met the New Zealand ambassador Linda Te Puni to discuss the Chili to Tahiti cable.

The Chinese consul in Tahiti has been quoted as saying Chinese businesses are interested in talks about a cable connection across the Pacific as are several Pacific island countries.