Mandurah has been placed on the global technology map with the announcement that Google will establish a new Connectivity Hub in the city. This hub will be supported by the TalayLink subsea cable system, a major international project designed to strengthen digital links between Australia and Asia. For local residents, the news means faster, more reliable internet & new opportunities for the region.

What is the TalayLink subsea cable?

The TalayLink cable is a high-capacity fibre-optic line that will run under the Indian Ocean, connecting Australia directly to Thailand. Subsea cables are the hidden highways of the internet, carrying more than 95% of global data traffic. By adding TalayLink to the network, Google is creating a new pathway for information to travel, reducing reliance on existing routes and improving resilience against outages.

For WA, TalayLink is especially important. Most of the state’s international internet traffic currently flows through Perth. By landing a cable in Mandurah, WA gains a second major gateway, spreading the risk and increasing capacity for businesses, schools & households.

What is a Connectivity Hub?

A Connectivity Hub is not a giant data centre filled with servers. Instead, it is a specialised facility where subsea cables come ashore and connect to the wider internet. The hub provides switching equipment, caching services, and secure connections to Google’s global backbone network. In simple terms, it is a gateway that ensures data can move quickly and safely between continents.

By hosting a Connectivity Hub, Mandurah becomes part of Google’s worldwide infrastructure. This means local traffic can be routed more efficiently, reducing delays & improving the quality of online services. It also means the city plays a role in supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence & other advanced digital services that rely on fast, reliable connections.

What does this mean for Mandurah?

The arrival of Google’s Connectivity Hub brings several benefits to Mandurah and the Peel region. First and foremost, it improves digital resilience. If Perth’s existing landing points were ever disrupted, Mandurah would provide an alternative route, keeping WA connected to the world. This redundancy is critical in an age where internet access underpins everything from banking to healthcare.

Secondly, the hub is expected to deliver faster & more stable internet for local users. By caching content closer to where it is consumed, services like video streaming, cloud storage & online learning can run smoother. Businesses in Mandurah will be able to compete more effectively, and schools will gain access to richer digital resources.

Thirdly, the project creates economic opportunities. Construction & maintenance of the hub will generate jobs, while the presence of world-class infrastructure may attract technology companies to the region. Local service providers, from cafes to accommodation, could benefit from increased activity around the hub.

Global significance, local pride

Mandurah’s selection as a Connectivity Hub site is not just about technology. It's also recognition of the city’s strategic location and its potential to contribute to Australia’s digital future. By joining Google’s global network, Mandurah is linked to a corridor that stretches across Asia, Africa & the Middle East. 

For residents, the announcement is a reminder that even regional centres can play a role in shaping global systems. Just as Mandurah has grown from a fishing town into a coastal city, it is now stepping into a new identity as part of the digital infrastructure that connects nations.

Looking ahead

As demand for data continues to grow, more cables and facilities may follow. Mandurah could become a focal point for digital innovation in WA, supporting new industries and services that rely on high-speed connectivity. The challenge will be to balance growth with sustainability, ensuring that infrastructure development respects the environment and benefits the community.

For now, Mandurah has been chosen to host a piece of the world’s digital backbone and that means faster internet, stronger resilience & new opportunities for the city and its people.