APTelecom Announces Support for Planned Central Pacific Cable Subsea Extension to American Samoa
APTelecom Press Release
May 4, 2026
New connection would strengthen South Pacific resilience, expand regional connectivity, and support connecting underserved Pacific communities
American Samoa, May 4th, 2026 – APTelecom today announced plans to advance an extension of the Central Pacific Cable initiative into the U.S. territory of American Samoa.
The planned extension forms part of APTelecom’s broader work to promote resilient, diverse, and future ready digital infrastructure across the South Pacific. By connecting American Samoa into the wider Central Pacific Cable network, the initiative is intended to improve regional connectivity, provide additional route diversity, and support long-term digital inclusion across Pacific Island communities.
ASTCA will serve as the local counterparty in American Samoa and is expected to play a key role in supporting local coordination for the new cable connection.
APTelecom has also provided ASTCA with private sector training and advisory support across technical and commercial areas, helping strengthen local understanding of cable development, commercial models, and project execution requirements.
“American Samoa has a strategic role to play in the future of Pacific connectivity,” said Sean Bergin, President and Co-Founder of APTelecom, who currently also sits on the Board of Governors for the Pacific Telecommunications Council, PTC. “This extension of the Central Pacific Cable initiative is about more than adding a new connection. It is about creating meaningful resilience, improving regional diversity, and helping deliver the kind of infrastructure that can support communities, governments, businesses, and future digital services across the South Pacific.”
The Central Pacific Cable initiative has been developed around the need for greater connectivity across underserved and strategically important Pacific markets. The proposed American Samoa extension would further strengthen that vision by adding American Samoa as an important part of the regional network.
The project is supported by Department of War funding and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command advocacy, reflecting the strategic importance of strengthening secure and resilient communications infrastructure in the U.S. territory of American Samoa and across the wider Pacific.
This support underscores American Samoa’s role as a critical connectivity point in the South Pacific and reinforces the importance of trusted digital infrastructure for regional resilience, security, and long-term economic development.
“Reliable and resilient communications infrastructure is essential to maritime safety and security here in American Samoa and the broader Pacific,” said Lt. William Russell, commanding officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit American Samoa. “It is important that we strengthen American Samoa’s role as a critical connectivity point, especially as we coordinate closely with local, federal and international partners to keep waterways safe, deter illicit activity and ensure the steady flow of commerce throughout the region. As commerce and infrastructure continue to grow, so too does the need for secure, dependable communications.”
“ASTCA is pleased to support the planned arrival of this new cable into American Samoa,” said Folasāitu Sorepa Fata Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of ASTCA. “American Samoa needs resilient, high-quality digital infrastructure to support its future growth, and this project represents an important step toward deeper regional integration and improved connectivity for our community.”
The project aligns with wider regional priorities around connecting the unconnected, improving digital resiliency, and ensuring that Pacific Island communities have access to reliable infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic and social development.
APTelecom will continue to work with ASTCA and relevant stakeholders in American Samoa as the project advances through its next stages of development.
About APTelecom
APTelecom is a global infrastructure advisory and investment firm specializing in subsea cable systems, digital infrastructure, commercial strategy, project development, and financing support. APTelecom works with governments, operators, investors, and technology companies to support the development of trusted, resilient, and commercially viable connectivity infrastructure worldwide.
For more information about APTelecom, please visit www.aptelecom.com, and for the Central Pacific Cable, visit www.centralpacificcable.com.
About ASTCA
The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, ASTCA, is the government owned telecommunications provider for American Samoa and a critical provider of broadband, mobile, and fixed line communications services across the territory. ASTCA supports connectivity for households, businesses, government agencies, schools, health facilities, and public institutions, and operates key communications infrastructure serving American Samoa’s inhabited islands. Through continued investment in modern communications networks, ASTCA plays a central role in strengthening digital access, service reliability, and infrastructure resilience for American Samoa.
For more information about ASTCA, please visit www.astca.as.
Media Contact
Alex Chace
Vice President of Global Government Affairs
APTelecom
[email protected]
+1 (401) 541-0287
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