Vodafone Fiji has recently been designated as an official reseller of Starlink satellite internet services, marking it as the latest company in Fiji to partner with the satellite provider. This development makes Vodafone Fiji the second subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) to embark on this collaboration in under five months.
The announcement was made by Vodafone Fiji last week, highlighting that this partnership will bring cutting-edge satellite internet technology to Fiji. According to the company, this initiative aligns with Vodafone Fiji’s goal of offering advanced connectivity solutions to the Fijian populace.
By utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji aims to deliver dependable high-speed internet to its enterprise clients, even in the country’s most isolated locations.
The arrival of Starlink in the Pacific presents both advantages and challenges for ATH. As the company expands its footprint across several Pacific nations under the Vodafone brand, it provides mobile telephony alongside subsea cable internet services. In its recent annual report, ATH acknowledged that while Starlink presents significant competition in the retail space, it also opens up valuable development opportunities.
Ivan Fong, CEO of ATH, stated, “Although Starlink is a competitive retail option, we also see substantial potential to collaborate and enhance our services, which will aid in connecting underserved communities affordably.” He noted that Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL) is partnering with Starlink to utilize its satellite technology, which promises to broaden reach and improve connectivity throughout the region.
Fong expressed some concerns, stating, “The emergence of low-Earth orbit satellites could create issues concerning data sovereignty, information security, and compliance with various regulations.” He emphasized the necessity for uniform conditions for all internet service providers to foster fair competition within the telecommunications market.
The official launch of Starlink in the Cook Islands the previous month has already influenced Vodafone Cook Islands, another ATH subsidiary, leading to a 12 percent dip in internet revenue and notable losses in high-value residential and selected business broadband segments due to Starlink’s arrival.
Earlier in July, Telecom Fiji became the first ATH subsidiary to secure a partnership with Starlink as a reseller in Fiji.
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