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Google and Chile Ink Deal for Trans-Pacific Submarine Cable to Boost Digital Connectivity

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Alphabet’s Google has signed a landmark agreement with the Chilean government to deploy a 14,800-kilometer (9,196-mile) submarine data cable linking Chile with Australia and Asia. The cable is expected to be operational by 2027 and marks the first submarine cable project in the South Pacific, reinforcing Chile’s ambitions to become a regional digital hub for Latin America.

“This is an important commitment with an extraordinary strategic partner,” said Chile’s Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz, emphasizing the cable’s role in improving connectivity with Asian nations, particularly China, which is Chile’s largest trading partner.

Open Access and Broader Goals

Cristian Ramos, head of telecommunications infrastructure for Alphabet’s Latin America operations, confirmed that the cable will be open for use by other entities, allowing technology firms operating in Chile to benefit from the improved infrastructure.

The cable’s deployment comes amid escalating technological competition between the U.S. and China in Latin America, with submarine cables becoming increasingly significant in their geopolitical rivalry.

Though exact costs have not been disclosed, Chilean authorities had previously estimated the project’s cost to range between $300 million and $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million through its state-owned partner Desarrollo País.

Applications in Mining, Science, and Industry

The cable is expected to deliver a range of benefits, including better performance for Asian tech platforms like TikTok, enhanced astronomical data transmission, and improved coordination for mining operations shared between Chile and Australia.

“Mining companies with operations in both countries can consider shared command centers where teams can support each other in real-time,” noted Deputy Secretary of Telecommunications Claudio Araya.

Deployment will begin next year from the Chilean port city of Valparaiso. Chile is also evaluating an additional link connecting the cable to Argentina, further expanding the project’s regional impact.

Future Expansion and Antarctic Ambitions

The agreement could encourage similar projects connecting South America with Asia, further strengthening Chile’s digital infrastructure. Separately, Chile is planning another submarine cable project to link the southern tip of South America with Antarctica, mainly for scientific research purposes.

The partnership between Google and Chile is not only a technological milestone but also a reflection of broader strategic interests as digital infrastructure becomes central to global economic and political influence.

Google Set to Discontinue Support for Android Instant Apps by Year-End

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Google is planning to retire its Android Instant Apps feature by the end of 2025, according to recent reports. The company’s decision comes after noticing consistently low user engagement and adoption of the feature. Instant Apps, which allow users to access lightweight versions of apps without installing them, will cease functioning after December 2025. Alongside this shutdown, Google will also discontinue related API support and remove Instant Apps tooling from Android Studio, the integrated development environment used by developers.

The news surfaced when a developer noticed a warning message in the latest canary build of Android Studio, alerting users about the upcoming removal of Instant Apps support. The pop-up message stated that Google Play would stop supporting Instant Apps and their APIs, while Android Studio would drop tooling support in an upcoming update. A Google spokesperson later confirmed to The Verge that the shutdown is driven by limited usage and the growing preference among developers for alternative tools that better support app discovery and engagement.

Introduced in 2017, Android Instant Apps were designed to give users a quick, app-like experience without the need for full installation. These apps often serve specific purposes such as previewing a game or making a payment, similar to Apple’s App Clips. Despite their convenience, Instant Apps never gained widespread traction, leading Google to reconsider its investment in the feature and focus on tools that drive deeper user interaction with fully installed apps.

This move follows a similar phase-out of other Google products, such as the discontinuation of the Chromecast brand in favor of the Google TV Streamer set-top box last year. By reallocating resources away from underperforming features like Instant Apps, Google aims to better support developers and users through enhanced app experiences and more popular discovery methods.

Google Reportedly Planning to Split from Scale AI Following Major Meta Agreement

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Google, long recognized as the largest customer of data-labeling firm Scale AI, is reportedly planning to sever its ties with the startup following news that Meta will acquire a 49% stake in the company. According to five sources familiar with the matter, the move signals Google’s discomfort with a key rival gaining influence over a major supplier of critical AI training data.

One source revealed that Google had intended to pay Scale AI approximately $200 million in 2025 for labeled datasets essential to training its advanced AI systems, including those that power Gemini—Google’s answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, the announcement of Meta’s substantial investment has prompted a strategic reassessment. This week, Google began preliminary discussions with several of Scale AI’s competitors, exploring options to shift that work elsewhere.

Meta’s stake in Scale AI, which now values the company at $29 billion—up from $14 billion prior to the deal—adds complexity to Scale’s future. The potential loss of Google’s business represents a significant setback, particularly given Scale’s reliance on a small group of major clients. As Meta absorbs key figures from Scale, including CEO Alexandr Wang and select team members, the startup may face turbulence in maintaining continuity and independence.

Despite the upheaval, Scale AI maintains that its operations remain solid. In a statement, a company spokesperson emphasized its strong relationships with corporate and government partners and reaffirmed its commitment to data security and customer confidentiality. The company declined to discuss the status of its partnership with Google.