AARNet said on Tuesday that lighting JGA South extends the reach of its network into North Asia and provides the company with additional connectivity options across the Pacific Ocean via Guam to North America.

AARNet) provides high capacity national and international telecommunications, cyber security and collaboration services for Australia’s research and education sector, including universities, health and other research organisations, schools, vocational training providers and cultural institutions.

AARNet CEO Chris Hancock (pictured) said the new JGA South link compliments AARNet’s investment in the Indigo subsea cable link connecting Sydney, Perth and Singapore - and improves the diversity and resilience of dedicated high-performing international connectivity for big science, research and education.

“JGA South forms an essential link to all points north in Asia and this link, along with all our long term investments in international infrastructure, provides AARNet with the control to meet the future growth in collaborative research and transnational education between Australia and our important partners in Asia and beyond,” said Hancock.

The JGA South subsea cable system was developed by a consortium comprising AARNet, Google and RTI.

AARNet is the landing party for the Sydney end of the cable and was responsible for selecting and fitting out the landing station, a new terrestrial cable from the station to the beach and a new bore pipe out to sea.