Vodafone Fiji has recently been authorized as an official reseller of Starlink satellite Internet services, making it the second subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) to establish such a partnership within five months. The announcement was made last week.
Vodafone Fiji highlighted that this collaboration marks a significant advancement in delivering satellite internet technology to Fiji, aligning with its mission to provide innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian population. By utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji aims to offer reliable high-speed internet to its enterprise customers, even in the most isolated areas of the nation.
The introduction of Starlink in the Pacific has generated mixed reactions for ATH. The conglomerate now operates mobile services in several Pacific nations under the Vodafone brand and offers subsea cable internet. In its latest annual report, ATH identified both development opportunities and concerns stemming from Starlink’s arrival.
ATH CEO Ivan Fong acknowledged that while Starlink poses competitive threats, it also provides opportunities to enhance services and bridge the digital divide in underserved communities. He mentioned that Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL) and potentially other subsidiaries will collaborate with Starlink to improve connectivity across the region.
However, Fong expressed concerns regarding the implications of low-Earth orbit satellites on data sovereignty, security, and compliance with local regulations and tax laws. He stressed the importance of having uniform terms for all internet service providers to ensure fair competition in the industry.
Starlink’s recent launch in the Cook Islands has already affected Vodafone Cook Islands, another ATH subsidiary, which reported a 12 percent drop in internet revenue and significant losses in lucrative residential and certain business broadband markets attributed to Starlink’s presence.
In July, Telecom Fiji became the first ATH subsidiary to start reselling Starlink services in Fiji.
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