Click to read as originally published on Wantok Website

Port Vila, Vanuatu: WanTok Network has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire Telsat Broadband.

Operating across Vanuatu, Telsat Broadband opened for business in 2009, building upon its expertise in wireless transmissions networks, with its Wireless ISP first providing connectivity via mesh network infrastructure and later moving to a new platform which allowed for the establishment of a carrier-grade IP backbone as well as a mobile device hot-spot/repeater network. According to the Chief Executive and owner Rod Smith he had a vision of providing flexible and easy access to the Internet with the use of WiFi combined with Wireless Broadband services for its customers. However, as he approaches retirement, he was searching for a good home for what he spent years of his life building and is happy to leave it with WanTok Network, knowing the continuous investment and profound caring for its customers will be in good hands.

As part of the deal, WanTok Network will acquire Telsat Broadband assets to expand its existing coverage within Vanuatu, and at the same time, use the various Technologies within both networks to complement each other

Commenting on the transaction, Justin Kaitapu of WanTok, said:

Business Solutions and connectivity are one of the fastest-growing areas in Vanuatu, the proposition of Telsat was a natural fit in WanTok’s efforts to expand its services and portfolios, furthermore, I’m quite pleased with assisting Rod’s retirement on ensuring Telsat customers would have a good home.

Further commenting on the transaction, Joana Liliu, WanTok’s Operations Manager, said:

Despite unprecedented times, the Team is excited as we continue to further provide simple, reliable and affordable services to our customers, supported with exceptional support.

WanTok Network opened for business in 2014, introducing the first 4G LTE service provider in Vanuatu, it is continually working to stay ahead of the curve, enlisting advanced technologies to fully serve its customer’s primary use of communication service requirements. WanTok provides wireless broadband capacity, reliable cloud hosting services, managed network services, as well as a comprehensive host of additional communications services.

View this article as it first appeared on Loop News – Tonga

Digicel, Tonga’s leading telecommunication and entertainment provider today announced the completion of a major TOP $1.8 million network upgrade. Now all sites are upgraded to LTE network and Digicel Tonga is the first operator to achieve this on the island.
Digicel Tonga CEO, Anthony Seuseu said; “We simply want to give every Tongan the best mobile data experience and become their digital lifestyle partner. We are now living in a time where our online and digital
experiences are part of our lives. The TOP $1.8 million investment in our data network over the last 12 months is a major milestone for Tonga to celebrate and be proud of. We are the first and only operator to upgrade all our towers 100% LTE in Tonga. We want our customers to live their best digital lives and this upgrade will improve speed and coverage in the Kingdom.”
“The first phase of the upgrade project started in late 2019 where over 25% of our sites were upgraded to LTE.
The second phase of the upgrade started in May this year to bring the remaining sites up to LTE. All sites across Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u and ‘Eua are now 100% LTE. We have seen our customers’ use 77% more data than they did in June 2019 and the benets of this network upgrade allows for additional data capacity using the latest LTE technology.”

Nationwide connectivity, trunking, mobile backhaul, marine and back-up services

Funafuti, Tuvalu, 22 July 2020 – Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) has signed a five-year agreement with the Government of Tuvalu to provide the Pacific Island nation with high-speed broadband internet connectivity via satellite.

The bandwidth, supplied by Kacific’s high-throughput satellite Kacific1, will connect agencies, businesses, and communities across Tuvalu’s nine islands with high-quality internet. Under the agreement, Tuvalu, through the Ministry of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs, will take all available capacity – a total commitment of 150MHz – from the dedicated high-throughput beam Kacific has positioned over Tuvalu’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This will give Tuvalu unprecedented volume and flexibility for communications and create an immediate step change in internet availability and affordability for the nation’s citizens.

Under the agreement, Kacific will provide a comprehensive turnkey service comprising:

• 400Mbps to 600Mbps of satellite capacity depending on size of terminals
• Sixty 1.2 metre VSAT terminals (satellite dishes) for schools, medical clinics, government agencies and small businesses for immediate connection
• Forty outdoor WiFi access points to support community connectivity with WiFi hotspots
• Three maritime antennae to connect ferry services
• One 4.5 metre, one 2.4 metre and nine 1.8 metre Ka-band antennae to provide trunking and backhaul services for the mobile phone network

Kacific will also provide installation services for the 4.5 metre antenna as well as training and technical support.

With Kacific’s services, the capital and Outer Islands of Tuvalu will all have access to a high-quality communications infrastructure.

“Tuvalu’s agreement with Kacific is a game-changing project that will transform the lives of many Tuvaluans,” said Tuvalu’s Minister for Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs Honourable Simon Kofe. “Through this type of agreement, the Government is currently working to majorly reform Tuvalu’s telecom sector in order to provide the widest possible range of efficient, reliable, and affordable telecommunications and information services to all of Tuvalu. It is hoped that these reforms will promote socio-economic development and create a modern enabling environment that encourages innovation, investment, and job creation.”

“Tuvalu has demonstrated real vision in making this commitment,” said Christian Patouraux, CEO and founder of Kacific. “It will enable the Government of Tuvalu to adopt a holistic approach to ensure that all its people, whether remote or urban, have equal access to high-speed internet. This approach will improve domestic and international connectivity, reduce disparities and vulnerability, and ease the burden on those living on remote islands. It will make a significant difference to education, health, business and democratic participation throughout the nation.”

“Kacific’s satellite technology is remarkably effective in providing both affordable, accessible broadband to remote areas and a range of other services, including mobile backhaul, maritime, disaster recovery and backup. This is a significant step for Tuvalu to become more resilient.”

Tuvalu is a Pacific Island nation with a population of approximately 11,192. It comprises three reef islands and six atolls and has a total land area of 26 square kilometres, making it one of the world’s smallest nations in terms of land territory. It is susceptible to the impacts of climate change, and the sea level at the tide gauge for the capital island Funafuti has risen at 3.9 mm per year, which is approximately twice the global average. Tuvalu is also affected by El Niño and La Niña weather systems.

### ENDS ###

View this article as it originally appeared on Kacific Site

About Kacific

Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) is a next-generation broadband satellite operator that provides affordable, high-speed broadband access to Asia Pacific. Kacific uses the latest multi-beam space communications and ground technology to provide a quality service to businesses, governments and communities.

Kacific’s high-throughput Ka-band satellite, Kacific1, delivers to the Pacific and South East Asia, with a focus on underserved rural and suburban areas. Kacific services foster greater internet usage, fuelling economic growth and improvements in service delivery across covered regions.

Kacific’s awards include Best Digital Inclusion (Pacific ICT Awards, 2019), Satellite Executive of the Year: Christian Patouraux (APSCC, 2019) and Better World Satellite Award (SSPI, 2018). Kacific’s headquarters are in Singapore with main operations out of Vanuatu.

View as originally reported by FBC News

The University of the South Pacific becomes a Member of the Pacific GIS Remote Sensing Council.

This comes after the formalization of a long term working relationship with the signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pacific GIS RS Council.

The Pacific GIS & Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) was established in 2017 to oversee the activities of the Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing User Conference.

This conference is the largest in the Pacific, held annually.

USP has been a partner organization of this conference for the last 22 years and hosts the annual conference in conjunction with USP’s Geospatial Science Programme.

USP has been providing GIS and remote sensing education since 1994 and in 2015 instituted a full degree in Geospatial Science. Its graduates are now spread across the Pacific and are an integral part of the Pacific Geospatial community.

During the signing of the MoU, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Pal Ahluwalia said, “We are pleased to formalize this long-standing partnership and look forward to working with PGRSC in advancing capacity building in the area of geospatial science across our member countries.

The careFIJI app, based off Singapore’s #TraceTogether app uses Bluetooth signals to determine if your phone has come in close proximity with another #careFIJI user who has recently tested +ve for COVID-19.

digitalFIJI is the Fijian Government’s DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME. This programme is also known as the Digital Government Transformation (DGT) Programme.

Extracted from the CareFiji Facebook page

PRESS RELEASE

Fijians will now be able to lodge consumer complaints with just a few swipes. This has been made possible after the launch of the new Consumer Council of Fiji Mobile App and Complaints Management System (CMS) today by the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport ) Hon. Faiyaz Koya.While launching the app, Hon. Koya thanked the Council for developing the app and highlighted that the launch of the app was very timely. “Today marks a significant achievement for the Consumer Council of Fiji as we officially launch the Council’s mobile app. This comes at a time where consumers demand timeliness, flexibility and convenience,” said Hon. Koya.

The Council Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Seema Shandil says that the mobile app is a result of the Council’s efforts in working towards reaching as many Fijian consumers as possible and improving and upgrading the method of lodging complaints. “This app is another addition to our arsenal which will further assist us to continue doing our work in a bigger and better way and will enable us to reach a much greater number of Fijians than ever before,” Ms Shandil said.“This would translate into more Fijian consumers being aware of their rights, their responsibilities and will assist us to advice and if need be, seek redress for these consumers,” she added. This app is simple and easy-to-use.

Apart from lodging a complaint, the app allows consumers to track its progress, saving them time on any follow-ups. The app also contains vital static information such as the role of the Council, consumer rights and responsibilities as well as latest updates by the Council and consumer advisories. Along with the mobile app the Council also launched the Complaint Management System which will be used for the efficient management all consumer issues and complaints.

The new CMS will help improve the efficiency of its process, consistency, and quality of the work. “This modern system will also prove effective in proper documentation of complaints/issues we receive and will enable our officers to access any complaint with just the click of a button.”The Chief Executive also acknowledged the PFIP – Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme – UNCDF (PFIP) for their generous funding to develop the Complain Management System. PFIP Program Manager Mr. Bram Peters commended the Council for integrating latest technology in their bid to serve Fijian consumers and assured continued collaboration in the future.

“The newly developed CMS will go a long way in ensuring that the Council is able to effectively serve Fijian consumers and will bring about efficiency in Councils work” said Mr. Peter. He further added PFIP looks forward to working hand in hand with the Council. The Council has reiterated their continued efforts to assist consumers and protect their rights and has called for consumers to be their eyes and ears on ground through this app.

The mobile app is currently available for download for Android users, available on Google Play Store