Vodafone Fiji has been appointed as Fiji’s newest authorized reseller of Starlink satellite Internet services, marking the second subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) to do so within a span of less than five months. The announcement was made last week.
This partnership brings advanced satellite internet technology to Fiji, which aligns with Vodafone Fiji’s goal of providing innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian population. By utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji aims to offer its enterprise customers dependable high-speed internet access, even in the country’s most remote areas.
Starlink’s introduction to the Pacific has presented both opportunities and challenges for ATH. The company has expanded its mobile telephone services through the Vodafone brand in several Pacific nations and has introduced subsea cable Internet to enhance its service offerings. In its most recent annual report, ATH acknowledged that while Starlink provides competitive retail options, it also sees potential for collaboration that could improve connectivity for underserved communities.
Ivan Fong, ATH’s CEO, noted that Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL) and potentially other subsidiaries are set to collaborate with Starlink to utilize its satellite capabilities for broader regional connectivity improvements. Although ATH recognizes the advantages of working with operators like Starlink to enhance mobile coverage, there are concerns regarding data sovereignty, information security, and regulatory compliance issues that could arise due to the proliferation of low-Earth orbit satellites.
Fong emphasized the importance of establishing uniform terms and conditions for all internet service providers to maintain fair competition in the market. The recent launch of Starlink in the Cook Islands has already impacted Vodafone Cook Islands, also an ATH subsidiary, which reported a 12 percent decrease in Internet revenue and a significant decline in high-yield residential and certain business broadband segments attributed to Starlink’s market entry.
Earlier this year, Telecom Fiji became the first ATH subsidiary to partner with Starlink as a reseller in Fiji.
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