Australia is laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected economy with multibillion-dollar investments in digital infrastructure. Network advancements will deliver faster and more reliable services for business and communities, support the adoption of new technologies, and narrow the digital divide in rural and remote areas.
These advancements will maintain crucial lines of communication for rural communities during bushfires and other emergencies, preventing the impacts of power loss, coverage blackouts and congested networks for mobile communication.
New technology like generative AI and data-hungry streaming services are driving the demand for data beyond the scope of Australia’s current regional and rural infrastructure. With projections suggesting that Australia’s demand for data could increase by more than 30% annually, reliable high-speed connections that can meet the nation’s capacity requirements in the future are essential.
International investments and partnerships play a crucial role in strengthening Australia’s digital backbone and connecting the nation to the US and Asia-Pacific. In June 2025, Amazon announced a A$20 billion investment over 2025 to 2029 to expand its digital infrastructure in Australia.
This significant investment, along with other local and international projects, will ensure Australia has a robust, resilient and future-proof infrastructure.
NBN Co and Project Kuiper bring broadband to the bush
In August 2025, NBN Co announced Amazon’s Project Kuiper as its new satellite broadband provider for regional, rural and remote parts of Australia. NBN Co will transition from its existing geo-stationary satellite service to Project Kuiper’s network of thousands of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Kuiper’s LEO satellites are up to 630 kilometres above Earth. Because LEO satellites are closer, they have lower latency, meaning they send and receive data with minimal lag. Launching in mid-2026, the partnership between NBN Co and Project Kuiper will improve the quality and the reliability of broadband services to more than 300,000 premises in rural and remote Australia.
Austrade has been supporting Project Kuiper since 2021, providing Amazon with key introductions, advice on navigating local regulations, and practical support on operating in Australia. The project is expected to create 150 local jobs.
‘We’re proud to be working with NBN to bring Kuiper to even more customers and communities across Australia,’ says Rajeev Badyal, Vice President, Technology at Amazon’s Project Kuiper. ‘We look forward to creating new opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in rural and remote parts of the country.’
Getting ready for launch: Kuiper’s LEO satellites are up to 630 kilometres above Earth.
Australia Connect strengthens global ties
Australia’s location makes it an ideal gateway to connect Africa, Asia and the Americas. Google and Australian digital infrastructure provider Vocus have recognised this potential, partnering to improve Australia’s digital infrastructure.
The 2 organisations announced Australia Connect in 2024, a project that will build 42,500 kilometres of high-capacity subsea cable linking to Australia’s north, east and west coasts. The 4 additional network links will connect Melbourne to Perth, Perth to Christmas Island, Christmas Island to Singapore, and Christmas Island to Darwin.
The project aims to improve the resilience of Australia’s digital connectivity, providing access to stable and secure network architecture.
‘Australia Connect advances Google’s mission to make the world’s information universally accessible and useful. We’re excited to collaborate with Vocus to build out the reach, reliability, and resiliency of internet access in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific region,’ says Brian Quigley, VP, Global Network Infrastructure, Google Cloud.
‘Australia Connect will bolster our nation's strategic position as a vital gateway between Asia and the United States by connecting key nodes located in Australia’s east, west and north to global digital markets,’ adds Jarrod Nink, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Vocus.
Laying the groundwork: Telstra strengthens national fibre
And it’s not just international companies investing in Australia. The nation’s largest telecommunications provider Telstra has been building Australia’s largest intercity terrestrial fibre network since 2022. The investment will lay almost 14,000 kilometres of ultra-high capacity, low latency fibre, with the first route on the network from Sydney to Canberra opened in June 2025.
The increase in high-capacity networks means industries with large data requirements, like data centre providers, large technology companies and satellite providers, can rely on inter-city and regional connections. It will also enable Australia to support the rapid adoption of resource-intensive AI applications that are driving productivity and innovation.
Digital infrastructure opportunities
Australia is building the capacity and resilience that local and global businesses need to stay ahead of future challenges. Investments in digital infrastructure are boosting regional and rural economies and supporting Australia to become the Asia-Pacific region’s digital nexus as the next generation of data-hungry technologies emerge.
Learn more about digital infrastructure opportunities in Australia.
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