Government considering issuing Starlink a licence in Tonga
The Tonga Government is considering issuing Starlink a licence to offer broadband internet services in Tonga. The Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni told a media briefing last week that Starlink had
Temporary ban on Starlink imports in Samoa
The Samoa Office of the Telecommunication Regulator (OOTR) temporarily banned the importation of Space X’s Starlink kits and Customs will seize any type of unit sighted at border control. Regulator, Lematua Gisa
SpaceX apply for license to operate in Samoa
Samoa’s digital landscape is soon to leapfrog if the government grants a license to Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly known as SpaceX, to operate in Samoa. This was confirmed by the Regulator, Lematua
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.
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
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
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
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.
Tonga Domestic submarine cable repair completed
Tonga’s domestic submarine cable system connecting Vavaú and Haápai Islands has been successfully repaired and restored for service, effective from Wednesday, 12 July This follows damage it suffered during the
Palau’s 2nd Submarine Cable to activate in 2025
The 2nd Submarine Cable connecting Palau to the rest of the world is now projected to be ready for service by the first quarter of 2025, according to Robin Russell, CEO of Belau Submarine Cable Corporation. The
Starlink registers trademark in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office (VanIPO) has confirmed that Starlink have registered its trademark in Vanuatu and are in the process to obtain its broadcasting licence. Starlink will be now in contact with the
Sector anticipates further reduction in internet costs in PNG
Papua New Guineans will soon enjoy a much lower reduction in internet costs, says the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu. Masiu said this anticipated reduction in prices is attributed
Vanuatu ransomware attack a lesson for others
On 06 November 2022, a new government started its first official day in office on the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu – just as a debilitating ransomware attack shut it out of all state-run computer systems. Unable
Cyber attack risks will remain, says Vanuatu PM
The risks of cyber-attacks on the Government network will remain. Hacking the system is “bread and butter” for hackers around the world. But hopefully, a new system is in place to build security mechanisms to detect
70 percent of Govt servers recovered: PM Kalsakau
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau confirmed Wednesday afternoon that 70 percent of the Government servers have been recovered. Partial access to government systems have been restored and that includes; government
Vanuatu Govt network paralysed by cyber attack
The Office of the Vanuatu Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has confirmed the Government’s Broadband Network has been compromised since Sunday, November 6, 2022. A statement from the OGCIO relayed that
Bridging the digital divide in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands’ Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL) has revealed its selection of Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP to further improve the nation’s ICT via turnkey provision from Samoa to Australia. The state-owned enterprise
USP Emalus Campus to resolve internet problem
The Director of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus, Dr Andrew McKenzie, believes that a stable and effective contract with the Vanuatu government is the way forward to avoid the ongoing internet
Ocean Link upgrades 4G networks in Kiribati
A mobile phone company, Ocean Link Limited (OLL) has started a major mobile network 4G upgrade and coverage improvement on South Tarawa. A statement from Ocean-Link said the mobile network 4G upgrade started early this
