Page 22 - IB February 2024

Technology Health

SKY-HIGH HOPES FROM STARLINK

Continued from page 13 Starlink has not set up an office in Fiji yet, but Tkaczyk has
told local media that they import the Starlink dishes from
So, in markets like that, we tend to use a lot of options for Australia or New Zealand, carry out installation and provide
redundancy and availability,” he noted. “seamless failover technologies, management, monitoring,
Samania Ned, from Papua New Guinea’s University of technical support and all those add-ons.”
Technology, notes similar challenges and opportunities with He said residential connections will not be available in Fiji
Starlink’s entry into that market. for six to twelve months, and NETVAULT is providing business
“Starlink Satcom will definitely enable remote areas of and commercial services.
Papua New Guinea to have broadband quality access,” Ned While NETVAULT has got in early, how distribution in Pacific
affirms. Island nations will be scaled and localised is unclear.
However, she says there will be challenges in affordability In PNG, Ned says, “Like all other major tech companies like
and deployment logistics, posing a significant barrier to Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, etc, there will always be
widespread adoption. authorised resellers. And in Papua New Guinea, I would like to
“Remote communities and ordinary Papua New Guineans see many of our local established ISP providers be given the
will struggle to afford this technology,” she said. opportunity to be authorised resellers.”
“The hardware itself is only sold in USD and there is a ATH’s Fong also mentions the importance of local
monthly subscription. With this type of business model, Papua established ISP providers being given the opportunity to be
New Guineans in remote and rural areas would need access authorised resellers.
to financial services that would enable them to afford and “It’s a way to ensure that local businesses can participate
maintain this service.” in the distribution and service provision of these technologies,
She does see an opportunity for economic development, which can ultimately benefit the community and the
particularly in agricultural industries, through improved economy.”
access to markets. While challenges remain, such as the activation of ground
Ned emphasises the importance of a clear line of sight, stations in Fiji and ensuring regulatory compliance, Starlink’s
reliable power sources, and protective housing for equipment entry into the Pacific market signals a new era for the sector.
for effective Starlink services in PNG. Regulatory frameworks “I think Starlink, along with other emerging technologies
are also crucial, with Ned advocating for policies to ensure like Lnyk and AST SpaceMobile, present promising
equitable access, and safeguard critical industries and opportunities for connectivity in the Pacific,” said Fong.
environmental considerations. “It’s important to remember that it’s part of a mix; it’s
“A policy framework should regulate business, as well as the not the sole solution. We need to continue improving and
use of radio frequencies,” Ned states. deepening services to truly transform connectivity in the
Radek Tkaczyk, technical director of NETVAULT, a company Pacific.”
at the forefront of implementing Starlink’s services in Fiji, has
installed setups for the Tappoo Group and Nanuku Resort on Additional reporting by Samantha Magick
Viti Levu.
Tonga

STANDOFF IN TONGA

Continued from page 12 King’s traditional domains of interest, foreign policy and
defence, earning this royal rebuke.
the removal of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mahe The country is in uncharted waters, and the forecast is for
‘Uli’uli Tupouniua Jr, for not doing his bidding in relation some serious turbulence. But we can say with confidence that
to his appointment of the country’s current Ambassador to the rule of law will prevail.
the United Arab Emirates, Hon. ‘Akau’ola. The then Prime
Minister, Pohiva, was not in favour of the appointment. Lopeti Senituli is a law practitioner in Tonga and is the
Tupouniua sided with him against the King and paid the price current President of the Tonga Law Society. He was Political
– later becoming the current Prime Minister’s international and Media Advisor to Prime Ministers, Dr Feleti Vaka’uta
affairs adviser! Sevele (2006-2010) and Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva (2018-2019).
Given that no reasons for the King’s recent decision have
been disclosed, it is plausible that the current Minister for This article was originally published in the Australian
Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister have clashed with him on Development Policy Centre Blog.
some matter of state close to his heart, presumably in the

22 Islands Business, February 2024