Vodafone Fiji has officially become the latest authorized reseller of Starlink satellite Internet services, marking the second subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) to do so within five months. The announcement was made last week.
“This partnership brings advanced satellite internet technology to Fiji and aligns with Vodafone Fiji’s mission to provide innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian community,” the company stated.
By utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji aims to deliver reliable high-speed internet to its enterprise customers, even in the most remote areas of the nation.
Starlink’s entrance into the Pacific region has presented both challenges and opportunities for ATH, which has been expanding its mobile services across various Pacific countries under the Vodafone brand while also offering subsea cable Internet.
In its most recent annual report, ATH highlighted Starlink’s entry as a source of growth opportunities alongside some apprehensions. “While Starlink offers competition on the retail side, we see significant potential in leveraging its capabilities to enhance our services and bridge the digital divide for underserved communities affordably,” said ATH’s CEO, Ivan Fong.
He added that Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL), along with possibly other subsidiaries, is looking to harness Starlink’s satellite technology to improve connectivity across the region. However, Fong noted that while ATH sees potential in collaborating with operators like Starlink, there are also concerns.
“The emergence of LEO satellites raises issues related to data sovereignty, information security, and compliance with exchange control regulations and tax laws,” he explained. Fong emphasized the importance of having uniform terms and conditions for all internet service providers to ensure fair competition within the market.
Starlink’s official launch in the Cook Islands last month had an immediate impact on Vodafone Cook Islands, another ATH subsidiary, which reported a 12 percent drop in Internet revenue and significant losses in the high-yield residential and business segments attributed to the new competition.
Earlier this year, Telecom Fiji became the first ATH subsidiary to partner with Starlink in Fiji.
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