Brazil joins Chile in building first fiber optic cable to connect South America and Asia

SANTIAGO: Chile announced on Thursday that Brazil had signed on as a partner to build the first submarine fiber optic cable to connect South America with Asia, an effort that promises to boost connectivity for 270 million people on the continent.

Chile’s foreign minister, Andres Allamand, told reporters that Brazil’s decision to formally join the initiative was critical to making the $388 million, 13,180 km (8,200 mile) cable a reality.

“The incorporation of Brazil to this project gives it a definitive economic viability, and at the same time a definitive political viability as well,” Allamand said.