Google to spend $1billion on enhancing subsea internet infrastructure in the Pacific
Google will invest US$1 billion to improve digital connectivity between the U.S. and Japan through two new subsea cables, the Alphabet-owned firm said on Wednesday amid a visit by the Japanese prime minister to boost
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator defends Starlink users
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator head Bernard Hill said regional regulators who are banning the use of Starlink might have an “overinflated view” of their importance. His comments come after reports in
Internet cost cheap says Samoa regulator
Samoa Telecommunication regulator, Lematua Gisa Purcell has maintained that the current internet price is cheaper compared to previous years and the network cost will drop again before the end of the year. Lematua
Opinion: Mobile internet prices falling in Papua New Guinea
After years of high prices for mobile data in Papua New Guinea, consumers are now able to access lower prices that represent better value. We have been monitoring mobile internet prices in PNG since the start of 2020.
Prioritise cyber risk management: ANZ
A cybersecurity expert with the ANZ bank says many organisations fail to keep their systems up to date, and as a result, they expose themselves and their customers to cyberattacks. Eli Hirschauge, ANZ’s Head of
Sky-high hopes from Starlink
But experts say it's not the sole solution In the vast expanse of the Pacific, where connectivity challenges have persisted for decades, the arrival of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, is creating
The growing impact of technology on education
Technology has had an increasingly significant impact on the education sector, with mobile phone technology upscaling the delivery and accessibility of education in the Pacific, and the growth of artificial intelligence
Pacific women and online abuse
Fijian women are bearing the brunt of online abuse, says the country’s Online Safety Commission (OSC). The OSC says 61.44% of Fijian women experience this form of violence while men account for 38.56%. Facebook
U.S. urges Pacific to keep Chinese tech out of undersea cables
Pacific nations are being warned against using Chinese technology to connect to Western-funded undersea cables or risk having access cut off on security grounds. Nathaniel Fick, the U.S. envoy for cyberspace and digital
Fiji Business Briefs: Pine harvesting, Nabouwalu development, Kinetic Growth updates
RBF gives insurers time to implement new standards The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) says licensed insurers will only have to reflect new reporting standards in their prudential reporting from 1 January 2026. This follows
U.S. to end CNMI’s visa-waiver programme for Chinese travellers
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed the prescreening of Chinese travellers before coming to the CNMI as part of a transition plan leading to the eventual termination of the visa waiver programme for
First MSME conference to be held in March
Innovation, creativity, and passion are some things to expect at Fiji’s first-ever conference for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in March this year. The theme of the conference is ‘Innovation
Starlink to provide internet services in Fiji
Starlink (Fiji) Pte Limited (‘Starlink’), a leading provider of low Earth orbiting satellite systems, has been granted a spectrum licence by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, and a
Telecom Fiji and Telstra sign partnership deal for network connectivity
Telecom Fiji has announced a partnership deal with Telstra Corporation enabling direct network connectivity between Telecom Fiji and Telstra’s network. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in enhancing
Fiji PM announces partnership with Google to establish major cable project
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced the South Pacific Connect Initiative a significant milestone in reducing the digital divide and enhancing the capacity, resilience and reliability of digital
Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-U.S. deal
Alphabet’s Google will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint U.S.-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a U.S.
Ash clouds detected in Tonga’s Home Reef area
Six volcanic eruptions were detected from active Home Reef volcano in the last 24 hours, and volcanic ash was observed by satellites, Tonga Geological Services reported today, advising the Aviation Community. “to
Run for your life, Fiji NDMO Director tells students
Siren sounds blared across the Suva harbour today which prompted civilians of all ages to head to higher ground. Students and teachers from six nearby schools held hands and swiftly made their way to one of the
Iroga optimistic on Solomon Islands media sector
A veteran Solomon Islands journalist says the country’s media industry is vibrant and amongst the most independent in the region. Robert Iroga, founder and publisher of Solomons Business Magazine recently told
Power of the sea
A technology now being tested that harnesses seawater to produce electricity could address some of the Pacific Islands’ problems with power outages. Under the Project for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), a
Fisheries app to cross ocean divide
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has launched a free app to help fisheries officials around the Pacific overcome the language barrier while inspecting foreign fishing vessels at sea and in port.
Palau Finance Minister welcomes audit of stablecoin project
Palau’s Minister of Finance Kaleb Udui Jr said he welcomes the audit by the Public Auditor of Palau’s stablecoin project as requested by the Senate. “We have nothing to hide. We have been working with
University of the South Pacific leans into AI
While many universities are discouraging the use of ChatGPT, the new AI tool, others are leaning into its use and offering courses dedicated solely to navigating the new technology. Professor Maurizio Cirrincione, Head
