Victoria is set to be directly connected to the global communications network for the first time, marking a major upgrade to the state’s digital infrastructure and data resilience.
Premier Jacinta Allan joined SUBCO chief executive Bevan Slattery at Docklands to welcome the arrival of the world’s largest data-cable ship, Ile d’Yeu, which will begin laying the first major subsea fibre optic cable for Victoria. The project, led by Australian-owned SUBCO, will see more than 5,000 kilometres of fibre installed across land and sea as part of the Sydney–Melbourne–Adelaide–Perth (SMAP) system.
The SMAP cable, roughly the width of a 50-cent coin, will connect Australia’s east and west coasts through Victoria and link directly to the United States, Singapore and India. Once complete, it will handle up to 400 terabits of data per second—the equivalent of downloading 50,000 films every second.
Beyond improving speed and capacity, the system is designed to make Victoria’s digital backbone more resilient. By providing alternative routes for data transfer, it will reduce vulnerability during natural disasters and support essential services such as emergency operations, transport and government communications.
SUBCO will establish two new subsea cable landings in Torquay, with support from the Victorian Government. The company is also partnering with VicTrack to build a new fibre network along the Melbourne–Geelong rail corridor, connecting the Geelong region with Melbourne’s CBD. The upgrade will boost V/Line’s operational reliability and enhance commuter services.
Premier Allan described the project as “a jobs pipeline running under the sea”, saying it would plug Victoria directly into the global economy while strengthening the state’s digital infrastructure.
Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins said the partnership ensures Victoria’s future connectivity is secure and reliable, adding that it positions the state for decades of uninterrupted communication.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams noted that VicTrack’s ownership of the new rail corridor fibre network will also enhance the performance of the regional transport system.
The Victorian Government is contributing $4 million toward the Melbourne–Geelong corridor link, while SUBCO is investing more than $500 million in the overall project. Construction on the corridor is already underway and is expected to finish in the first half of 2026.
SUBCO’s Bevan Slattery said the collaboration between public and private sectors demonstrates how long-term partnerships can deliver meaningful economic and technological benefits.
Victoria’s digital technology sector already generates more than $34 billion for the economy and employs over 306,000 workers. With the SMAP system in place, the state is expected to attract greater data centre investment and strengthen its reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology.
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