The Quad has taken a concrete step into the Pacific’s digital space, backing a nationwide 4G and 5G rollout in Palau that will use Open RAN architecture, the first such deployment in the Pacific Islands.
Palau’s telecom operator has selected three American firms to build the network, following technical assistance supported by the United States. The project is expected to be operational by early 2027.
What makes the move significant is not just the technology, but who is standing behind it.
India, Japan and Australia have formally joined the initiative alongside the United States. India came on board at the recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, giving the effort broader Quad backing and placing it within the grouping’s expanding technology agenda.
The four countries have collectively pledged around $20 million toward building secure and resilient telecom infrastructure in Palau.
Why Palau, Why Now
The Pacific Islands have increasingly become an arena of influence competition. Chinese telecom vendors have dominated infrastructure supply in many developing markets over the past decade. That dominance has unsettled governments in Washington, New Delhi, Tokyo and Canberra, which argue that telecom architecture is no longer just commercial, it carries strategic weight.
By backing an Open RAN model in Palau, the Quad is promoting an alternative.
Unlike traditional telecom systems where one vendor provides the entire stack, Open RAN separates hardware and software layers. That allows operators to mix suppliers, run functions on cloud platforms and avoid dependence on a single company’s proprietary system.
For smaller countries, that flexibility can mean lower entry barriers. For Quad members, it also means reducing exposure to vendors seen as high-risk.
India’s Role
India’s participation is notable.
New Delhi has over the past few years tightened scrutiny of telecom vendors in its own market and pushed for trusted network standards. By signing onto the Palau initiative, India is aligning its domestic telecom security stance with its Indo-Pacific partnerships.
The timing, at a summit focused on artificial intelligence, is also telling. Competition between Washington and Beijing is no longer limited to trade or tariffs. It spans AI, semiconductor supply chains, data governance and digital infrastructure.
Telecom networks sit at the foundation of that ecosystem.
A Broader Pattern
This is the second recent initiative bringing all four Quad members together in the technology space. The grouping, initially revived with a maritime security focus, is increasingly investing political capital in digital infrastructure, supply chain resilience and emerging tech standards.
In Palau, the immediate outcome will be improved nationwide connectivity. But the broader objective appears to be demonstration: that a coalition model can deliver telecom infrastructure without relying on dominant Chinese suppliers.
If the project succeeds, it could become a template for other Pacific nations evaluating how to upgrade their networks.