Fiji’s international telecommunications gateway in Vatuwaqa is experiencing a surge in demand as international cable and satellite companies seek to build their broadband networks in the Pacific, with Fiji emerging as a pivotal hub for connectivity in the region. FINTEL, Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd, reports that major players such as Starlink, Google, and OneWeb have made multimillion-dollar investments in cable and satellite infrastructures over the past four years, drawn by geopolitics and the potential for growth.
George Samisoni, CEO of FINTEL, highlighted the escalating interest from these companies, emphasizing the challenges posed by limited real estate at the gateway site. Currently, FINTEL has established partnerships with OneWeb and is in discussions with other notable entities including Amazon’s Kuiper and Meta, aiming to host their hub services in Vatuwaqa. While OneWeb has been operational for two years and Starlink for four, the influx of new partners necessitates an expansion of landing facilities and earth stations, a challenge given the site’s growing congestion.
FINTEL currently operates 16 earth stations at the Vatuwaqa location, but additional land is needed to accommodate the increasing number of satellite services. As recent developments reflect, on October 17, the Vaka Cable also came online through the FINTEL gateway, connecting Tuvalu’s capital Funafuti to Google’s Bulikula Cable System, thereby granting Tuvalu its first direct broadband access to the world.
The context of expanding telecommunication infrastructure in Fiji aligns with other recent initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity. For instance, Telecom Fiji and Google are collaborating to create a high-capacity terrestrial fiber optic link connecting FINTEL’s cable landing station in Vatuwaqa to Google’s ICT facility in Natadola. This project, part of the Pacific Connect initiative, enhances Fiji’s digital infrastructure and aims to bridge the existing digital divide in the region.
The transformative potential of these advancements provides a hopeful outlook for Fiji. As international partnerships strengthen and infrastructure improves, Fiji is well-positioned to foster economic growth and inclusivity while enhancing connectivity for its citizens and businesses.
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