PNG LNG

Overview

The PNG LNG submarine cable is a 200-kilometer telecommunications system connecting two key locations in Papua New Guinea: Kikori and Port Moresby. This domestic cable was officially ready for service in 2014 and is owned and operated by Telikom Papua New Guinea. Its primary purpose is to enhance connectivity within the country, supporting internet access and telecommunications infrastructure. As a critical part of Papua New Guinea’s digital landscape, the PNG LNG cable plays a significant role in linking urban centers and improving regional communications.

The cable is a vital asset in a nation characterized by challenging geography, with mountainous terrain and dense forests that make terrestrial infrastructure difficult and costly to deploy. By utilizing undersea technology, the PNG LNG cable bypasses these obstacles, ensuring a more reliable and efficient connection between the regions it serves. This infrastructure is crucial for both residential and business users in the country.

Route and Landings

The PNG LNG submarine cable connects two landing points within Papua New Guinea: Kikori and Port Moresby. Kikori, located in the Gulf Province, is a small but strategically important town that serves as a hub for the oil and gas industry, including the PNG LNG project, which the cable is named after. The town is surrounded by rivers and wetlands, making it an ideal location for a submarine cable landing to serve the region’s industrial and residential needs.

Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, is the other landing point. As the country’s largest urban center, Port Moresby is a critical node for telecommunications and economic activity. The city hosts government institutions, businesses, and a growing population that relies heavily on digital connectivity. By linking Kikori and Port Moresby, the PNG LNG cable provides a direct and efficient route for data transmission, supporting the development of both regions and ensuring better access to digital services for their populations.

Ownership and History

The PNG LNG cable is owned and operated by Telikom Papua New Guinea, the country’s primary telecommunications provider. Telikom Papua New Guinea is responsible for delivering fixed-line, mobile, and internet services across the nation. The cable was completed and became operational in 2014, marking a significant step in the development of Papua New Guinea’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Contrary to earlier claims, Telikom Papua New Guinea is not a subsidiary of Telefónica, a Latin American telecommunications company. Instead, Telikom Papua New Guinea operates independently as a state-owned enterprise, focusing on serving the domestic market. The PNG LNG cable was developed to address the growing demand for reliable connectivity in the country, particularly between the resource-rich Gulf Province and the administrative and economic hub of Port Moresby.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the PNG LNG cable has provided valuable insights into its performance. Measurements have been conducted across 33 distinct transmission corridors, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the cable’s efficiency and reliability. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) for data transmission is 214 milliseconds, while the average RTT stands at 251 milliseconds. These figures indicate a stable and relatively low-latency connection, suitable for a variety of telecommunications and internet applications.

The cable’s performance metrics are particularly significant given the geographic and environmental challenges in Papua New Guinea. By providing a reliable link between Kikori and Port Moresby, the PNG LNG cable contributes to the overall resilience of the nation’s telecommunications network. This infrastructure supports not only local connectivity but also the broader integration of Papua New Guinea into global digital networks, ensuring that the country remains connected to international data flows.