Rotuma’s classrooms are stepping into the digital era as Vodafone Fiji installs Starlink satellite internet at three small schools: Motusa District, Christ the King, and Paptea District. With each school hosting fewer than 100 students, the upgrade promises more than faster connections—it opens doors to global learning resources, online assignments, and opportunities that were previously out of reach for these students.
The launch, staged during the Rotuma Youth Festival, was designed to benefit not just the pupils but the wider community as well. Vodafone Fiji ICT Sales Executive Ian Kumar explained that the rollout is intended to ensure everyone in Rotuma can share in the advantages of the new digital link.
The move fits into Fiji’s broader push to extend internet access to remote and rural areas through Starlink, a program that has already connected several other communities. In recent phases, multiple rural schools across the country have gained high-speed, low-latency internet to support virtual lessons, cloud-based tools, and digital learning platforms. The initiative is part of a wide-government and partner-driven effort to close the digital divide and align with global targets to connect every school to the internet by 2030.
Beyond Rotuma, the Starlink rollout in Fiji has involved collaborations with international partners and local agencies, with ongoing plans to expand connectivity to more sites under the Universal Service Scheme. The plan envisions practical, scalable features at each site—including multiple Wi‑Fi access points, off‑grid solar power kits to reach hard-to-service communities, emergency satellite phones for disaster response, and a voucher-based model to help manage usage and ensure equitable access. Local training and community involvement are emphasized to maximize the social and educational impact.
What this means for Rotuma is a refreshed chance for students to participate in virtual lessons, access digital libraries, and complete assignments online, all while building digital literacy skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. If these pilots prove successful, similar upgrades could follow for other remote communities, reinforcing a hopeful trajectory toward a more digitally inclusive Fiji.
Summary: Rotuma gains Starlink internet at three small schools, linking students to global resources and online learning during a community-focused rollout that mirrors Fiji’s broader, nationwide drive to connect remote areas and reduce the digital divide.
Positive note: This development offers real potential to empower students, teachers, and communities with faster, more reliable connectivity, enabling better learning outcomes and new opportunities in a digitally driven world. If paired with ongoing digital literacy efforts and local capacity building, it could become a model for other remote regions.
Additional context (for editors): The Rotuma rollout is part of a broader nationwide effort to improve connectivity, including ongoing Starlink deployments to additional rural sites under the Universal Service Scheme. These efforts are complemented by international and local partnerships aiming to foster resilience, education, and economic opportunity in Fiji’s most isolated communities.
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