A significant investment of $10 million has been dedicated to a 102-kilometer fiber cable project designed to improve digital connectivity across Vanua Levu in Fiji. This initiative aims to provide residents with faster and more reliable internet services, which are essential for economic growth, education enhancement, and increased disaster resilience.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted the project’s alignment with the “Look North Policy,” stating that its completion is a major advancement for the region’s economic and digital landscape, especially for its most remote communities. His comments emphasized the importance of making digital opportunities accessible to everyone, including those in isolated areas.
According to Charles Goundar, CEO of Telecom Fiji Limited, this project represents a transformative leap towards a more interconnected Fiji. The project has already established the backbone infrastructure, and the next steps will focus on distribution networks that will benefit businesses, schools, and communities.
Telecom Fiji’s chairperson, Attar Singh, stressed that this development ensures the Northern Division is no longer isolated in the digital age. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering enhanced telecommunications solutions as part of their five-year fiber investment program, which aims to improve resilience and accessibility through the installation of underground fiber optic cables. This approach diminishes dependence on microwave networks that can be adversely affected by natural disasters.
The successful execution of this project was facilitated by strategic partnerships, leveraging Kordia’s deployment expertise and Ciena’s advanced routing technology. The infrastructure will create a robust data corridor beginning at the Savusavu Cable Landing Station and extending through various exchanges to reach Labasa Exchange.
This investment not only seeks to strengthen Fiji’s telecommunications framework but also aims to empower local communities, enhance essential services, and increase resilience against environmental challenges.
Overall, the fiber cable project symbolizes a hopeful advancement towards better connectivity and economic development in Fiji, paving the way for new opportunities for all residents of Vanua Levu.
Leave a comment