SANTIAGO, June 4 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google

signed an agreement with the Chilean government during a meeting

on Wednesday to deploy a 14,800-kilometer (9,196-mile) submarine

data cable across the Pacific Ocean to connect with Australia

and Asia, set to be operational by 2027.

The pact, the first of its kind between the technology giant

and a country, aims to bolster Chile's digital connectivity with

Asian nations, including China, Chile's largest trading partner,

while advancing its ambitions to become a regional hub for Latin

America.

"It's the first submarine cable in the South Pacific, so

it's an important commitment in that we have an extraordinary

strategic partner for a cable that should be operational in

2027," Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz told journalists.

Cristian Ramos, head of telecommunications infrastructure

for Alphabet's Latin American unit, said the cable would be open

for use by other entities, including technology firms operating

in Chile.

The initiative coincides with intensifying competition

between China and the United States for influence in Latin

America, with submarine cables emerging as crucial

infrastructure in their technological rivalry.

While the total investment in the project remains

undisclosed, Chilean officials had previously estimated costs

ranging from $300 million to $550 million, with Chile

contributing $25 million, according to Patricio Rey, general

manager of Desarrollo Pais, a state-owned partner in the

venture.

Authorities suggested the cable could enhance the

performance of Asian platforms like TikTok, facilitate

astronomical data transmission, and support mining operations in

both Chile and Australia.

"Mining companies that have operations in Chile and

Australia, by having a direct route, we can think about a shared

command center... where the command centers can support each

other," said Deputy Secretary of Telecommunications Claudio

Araya.

The cable, connecting Valparaiso in Chile's central region

to Australia, is scheduled for deployment next year. Chile's

state Desarrollo Pais is also looking into linking the cable to

Argentina via a border crossing.

Partners aim to identify an operator to commercialize the

cable's capacity, though a selection may not be finalized before

year-end.

Araya said the initiative could attract similar ventures to

connect South America with Asia. Separately, Chile is planning a

submarine cable to link the southern tip of South America with

Antarctica, primarily for research purposes.