Google and Telstra Team Up to Improve Australia’s Digital Network

The partnership was announced by Bikash Koley, Vice President of Global Infrastructure at Google, and Steven Worrall, CEO of Telstra Digital Infrastructure. It is an important step toward strengthening Australia's digital and AI future by expanding access to advanced digital infrastructure, creating new economic opportunities, and helping industries modernize and grow.

As part of the partnership, Google and Telstra will work together to improve internet connectivity across Australia through both land-based and undersea network infrastructure.

Terrestrial fiber network: Google will use capacity on Telstra's new Aura Network, a high-speed fiber network connecting major Australian cities. This will help provide faster and more secure internet access for households and businesses across the country.

Undersea cable connections: Telstra will gain access to Google's Pacific Connect and Australia Connect projects, which include undersea cable systems such as Tabua, Proa, and Bulikula. These cables connect Australia with Japan, the Pacific Islands, and the United States strengthening Australia's role as a major regional connectivity hub.

Improved security and reliability: By combining land-based and undersea network routes, Google and Telstra can reduce the risk of network disruptions. This will help ensure that data continues to flow securely and reliably, even if one connection experiences an issue.

Google chose Telstra and its Aura Network for this partnership to help expand and strengthen its AI services in Australia. The partnership will also allow Telstra to use multiple secure undersea cable routes, ensuring Australia's networks can handle the increasing demand for AI applications and data processing.

Google aims to make its advanced digital and AI services available to communities and businesses across Australia. Through this partnership, Google can provide these services with high levels of reliability and security supported by Telstra's extensive network expertise and its strong track record in building and managing large-scale, secure infrastructure.

“Building digital infrastructure capable of supporting the next wave of AI innovation requires deep collaboration and robust physical networks,” said Bikash Koley, Vice President, Global Infrastructure, Google. “This partnership brings together Google’s global subsea capabilities and network innovations and Telstra’s terrestrial reach to ensure Australians have the secure, high-capacity, and resilient digital services they require to compete globally.”

“This partnership is about enhancing our national capability and ensuring that Australia remains seamlessly connected to the global economy," said Steven Worrall, CEO, Telstra Digital Infrastructure. "The Aura Network is the backbone of Australia’s digital future; connectivity is its lifeblood. With more than 8,000 kilometers already laid across the country and the launch of the Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney coastal routes late last year, the Aura rollout is gathering significant momentum. By also securing fiber pairs along high-demand global routes, Telstra is building resilient, secure, and scalable infrastructure that will power the next industrial revolution in a way that supports sustainable, disciplined growth in the long term.”

“This partnership with Google reflects our shared commitment to Australia and the Pacific at a critical moment, as AI and data-intensive technologies reshape economies. Together, we’re building the AI-ready connectivity that enables communities and regions to participate fully in the digital economy—supporting innovation and reinforcing Australia’s role as a regional enabler for cloud, data, and AI ecosystems across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” added Worrall.

About Google

Google's goal is to organize information from around the world and make it easy for everyone to access and use. The company offers popular products and services such as Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome, and YouTube which are used by billions of people every day.

Google is one of the world's most recognized technology companies and operates as a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

About Telstra

Telstra is one of Australia's largest telecommunications and technology companies. It provides a wide range of communication and digital services to individual customers, small businesses, large enterprises, and government organizations.

The company operates Australia's leading mobile network and offers one of the country's most extensive telecommunications networks, connecting millions of people every day. Telstra's mission is to create a connected future that helps people, businesses, and communities succeed.