Vodafone Fiji has announced that it is now an authorized reseller of Starlink satellite Internet services, making it the most recent addition to the network of Starlink resellers in Fiji and the second subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) to achieve this milestone in under five months. This announcement was made last week.
The partnership aims to bring cutting-edge satellite internet technology to Fiji, aligning with Vodafone Fiji’s commitment to provide innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian population. By utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji plans to offer enterprise customers dependable high-speed internet access, even in the most isolated areas of the country.
Starlink’s entry into the Pacific has presented both opportunities and challenges for ATH. Recently, the company has expanded its mobile phone services across several Pacific nations under the Vodafone brand, alongside providing subsea cable internet to diversify its offerings.
In its most recent annual report, released earlier this month, ATH acknowledged that while the entry of Starlink creates competitive pressures in the retail space, it also opens up significant opportunities to enhance its own services and connect underserved communities in a cost-effective way. Ivan Fong, the CEO of ATH, emphasized the potential benefits of collaborating with Starlink to extend mobile coverage in remote locations, although he also expressed concerns about certain issues.
Fong noted that the rise of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites may pose challenges related to data sovereignty, information security, and adherence to exchange control regulations and tax laws. He stressed the importance of having uniform terms and conditions for all internet service providers to maintain fair competition in the market.
Following Starlink’s official launch in the Cook Islands last month, Vodafone Cook Islands, also a subsidiary of ATH, saw a direct impact with a 12 percent decline in Internet revenue. This drop was attributed to losses in the high-yield residential and specific business segments of its broadband services due to Starlink’s market entry.
In July of this year, Telecom Fiji became the first ATH subsidiary to partner with Starlink and become a reseller in Fiji.
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