Page 36 - IB May 2024

Telecom Feature Telecom Feature

Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, meets SpaceX boss, Elon Musk in Bali in May. Photo: Supplied
IN THE SHADOW OF GLOBAL

CHALLENGES

Cybersecurity threats and governing generative trouble-shoot in a multi-equipment ecosystem.
AI are amongst the most pressing challenges facing “The complexities inherent in such a setup would
telecommunications companies globally. necessitate clear demarcation with regulatory intervention
While the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence and substantial investment in training and resources, posing
(AI) characterises the complexity and pace of technological additional challenges for SIDS telecom operators,” PITA states.
change in this sector, other challenges reflect the broader
global economic climate – the impacts of inflation, disrupted Palau leads
supply chains, and a workforce that needs to be supported to Open RAN aside, Palau is leading the region in other ways.
adjust to these changes. Its Bureau of Communications published comprehensive
Many of these issues are also faced in the Pacific Islands, rules and regulations for the industry in 2022, that establish
although there are others specific to our remote locations and best practices for spectrum management, regulatory fees and
market size. other areas of the telecommunications industry. Those rules
were drawn up after extensive cross-sectoral consultations.
Open RAN It is now finalising its national ICT policy, which focuses on
In Vanuatu for their recent AGM, members of the Pacific the benefits of digital technologies and services across society.
Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) had a robust Besides the upgrading of its mobile network to 4G/5G
discussion about Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), standards, Palau’s Development Plan is also looking at
which allows interoperation between cellular network deploying a nationwide FTTP network and improving
equipment provided by different vendors. international connectivity through the Belau Submarine Cable
Several Pacific nations have multiple vendors deploying Corporation’s cables.
RAN technology (for example, Digicel and Vodafone), and
PITA says the implementation of Open RAN would enable Telstra transitions
greater flexibility, allowing companies to mix components When Australian company, Telstra—with the backing of the
from different manufacturers, potentially reducing costs and Australian government—bought Digicel Pacific’s operations in
improving response times to issues and problems. 2022, there was keen interest in how it might affect regional
Palau has already started moving to Open RAN, and the rest operations.
of the Pacific is watching this process with interest. On 21 May, Telstra announced an AU$350 million (US$232.99
However, PITA notes: “While the promise of full openness is million) cost reduction plan that will see it shed 2800 jobs by
tantalising, the reality may not match expectations with a list the end of the year, predominantly from the business-focussed
of limited players so far. Telecom companies may be forced enterprise division.
to remain with a single player that may have key components “Our industry and the world we are operating in are
not suitably designed for the special needs of the region, changing. We have new and different competitors. We have
often proving prohibitively expensive.” rapid advances in technologies happening. Our customer
In a report from the Vanuatu meeting, PITA adds that there needs continue to evolve and we have ongoing inflationary
are also concerns over the skills available to manage and and cost pressures,” Telstra CEO Vicki Brady told media at the

36 Islands Business, May 2024