Firmus Technologies AI infrastructure: New fibre optic project to connect Tasmania directly to Sydney and Melbourne
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 2 June 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 3 June 2026, 12:00 am
Description
The AI start-up and IPO hopeful has agreed to underwrite the missing link in Subco’s undersea cable connecting Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Summary
This infrastructure development highlights the expansion of physical hardware and high-speed connectivity required to support large-scale AI computational 'factories' in Australia. While the project enhances regional frontier AI capabilities by providing subsea fibre-optic links for massive data processing, it focuses primarily on commercial scaling rather than direct safety interventions. The investment underscores the rapid growth of Australian AI compute environments, which remain critical to monitor from a sovereign governance and catastrophic risk oversight perspective. Decisions regarding localized AI infrastructure influence the domestic regulatory environment for frontier model deployment.
Body
CompaniesTelecommunicationsAIPrint articleSam Buckingham-JonesMedia, marketing and telecommunications reporterJun 2, 2026 – 3.29pmFirmus Technologies will fund the first new fibre-optic cable to Tasmania in 20 years as part of a deal with undersea cable company Subco that guarantees the artificial intelligence infrastructure start-up can use its capacity and expand its Tasmanian AI factory build.The new cable, called Bernacchi-1, will connect northern Tasmania to Subco’s new 5000-kilometre cable system linking Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The mainland cables will be operational this month, with the Tasmanian link – underwritten by Firmus but built and operated by Subco – scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2027.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAITelecommunicationsBevan SlatteryFetching latest articles