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A black and white globe of the Earth. Australia is visible in the bottom left.

A web of blue lines form a network over Earth. Australia is visible in the bottom left.

A network over blue lines are laid over the globe. Labels of nearby Pacific Islands can be seen, along with a "Narrabeen" label.

A diagram showing the make-up of an undersea cable.
A diagram showing the make-up of an undersea cable.(ABC News)

An expanding cloud of smoke is seen highlighted in the ocean. The image is taken from space.

The satellite image shows an expanding cloud of smoke and ash in the middle of the ocean.

This satellite image shows the smoke cloud continuing to grow.

This satellite image shows the ash cloud getting bigger.

The ash cloud has grown in size, looming over the Pacific Ocean in this satellite image.

The ash cloud over the ocean has again grown.

The ash cloud from the Tongan volcano has again grown bigger in this satellite image.

This map image shows myriad cables running between and around China and Taiwan.

This globe has a single long cable highlighted as it weaves between countries.

This map of Earth has a number of cables highlighted blue, while others are greyed out.

The globe now has the same cables highlighted blue, but additional ones are highlighted orange.

A man wearing a black polo shirt speaks while gesturing at the camera.
There's a clear rivalry between the US and China, says journalist Joe Brock.(ABC News)

The globe now only has one cable highlighted, with a label marking "Diego Garcia" to the side.

The Pacific is at the centre of this globe, with some islands labelled. PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji are some of those.

A group of workmen bury a cable underneath sand on a beach. A bit further out to sea, a boat is seen.
Tech giants like Facebook are also playing a key role in building cables, like the 2Africa connection.(Reuters: Rogan Ward)

  • Producer: Dan Smith
  • Developer: Ashley Kyd
  • Reporter: Michael Reid
  • Editors: Tim Leslie and Matt Liddy
Posted , updated 
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