Page 31 - Islands Business May 2023

ICT ICT

markets and intellectual property have
not yet been adapted to the digital
age. Trade agreements and consumer
protection laws also rarely take into
account the complexities associated with
increased online commercial and trade
activity.”
It continues that data gaps include
reliable and comprehensive data on
connectivity, access and use of digital
technologies, and that international
cooperation, supported by donor
partners, is key to ensuring inclusive
digital economies.

Starlink
Amongst the many iimminent changes
in the region’s ICT space is the entry of
Starlink into some markets.
The satellite internet provider, a
subsidiary of SpaceX, has applied for a
license to operate in Fiji, Cook Islands,
Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, amongst
other locations.
SpaceX says it has over 4000 satellites
in orbit “and is providing highspeed
internet to more than one million
locations around the world, the majority
of which are households.”
Fiji’s Minister for Communications,
Manoa Kamikamica has indicated the
company will register as a local entity
and may be an attractive option for
businesses.
Starlink set up an earth station in Fiji Credit: UNCTAD.
last year to provide connectivity with
Tonga, following the Hunga Tonga–Hunga
Ha’apai eruption and tsunami.
In Cook Islands, Competition and Regulatory Authority anchor of a fishing vessel damaged the undersea domestic
Chair, Bernard Hill says there is a lot of interest in Starlink’s cable.
services, particularly in outer islands with small populations. SISCC said the vessel illegally anchored within the no-
Vanuatu’s regulator says it is aware some people are already anchoring zone.
using Starlink illegally, as it has not yet been licensed. Writing on islandsbusiness.com recently, an Expert Associate
Starlink’s website says services to Papua New Guinea will with the Australian National Security College, Dr Anthony
commence in the third quarter of this year and pre-orders Bergin, noted that while “fishing and anchoring incidents
have already been lodged by private businesses and a remote account for approximately 70% of cable faults globally,” there
school. are other threats to digital security such as cable interference
Another operator, Kacific Broadband Satellites has been at data points or landing stations or attacks on cables by
operating in Pacific countries for some years, connecting hostile states.
small businesses, schools, medical facilities, governments and
others in remote parts of the region. Mobile money, easier transfers and online shopping
Satellite services provide alternatives to sometimes Another element of the digitisation story transforming
vulnerable submarine cable connections. economies is mobile money. In Fiji, Vodafone Fiji’s M-PAiSA
Internet services between Solomon Islands’ capital, platform is projected to generate $3 billion (US$1.5 billion)
Honiara and the provincial towns of Auki, Taro and Noro will worth of income this financial year. It also recently launched
remain out of service for several weeks, the Solomon Islands a feature enabling cross-border payments of funds from Fiji to
Submarine Cable Company (SISCC) said this month, after the Continued on page 32

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