In a recent address to Parliament, Manoa Kamikamica, Fiji’s Minister for Communication, revealed that Walesi Fiji has been operating without the necessary licenses. The findings were part of a Technical Assessment of the country’s Digital Television Transmission Setup.
Kamikamica explained that Walesi Fiji failed to secure the crucial operating and spectrum licenses, raising concerns about potential risks to essential services such as civil aviation. He characterized the company’s oversight as inadequate, indicating a lack of compliance with fundamental international telecommunications obligations.
Further complaints were directed at Walesi’s management, with the Minister citing issues like poor policy on free-to-air content, substandard network design, and unsuitable technology choices. Notably, instead of adopting the recommended H.265/HEVC codec, the company opted for the outdated H.264 codec, leading to around 200,000 distributed set-top boxes becoming obsolete from the outset and wasting public funds.
The review also pointed out the absence of a sustainable operational framework for Walesi. Kamikamica noted the lack of a structured revenue model, strategic pricing for their broadcasting partners, and a long-term plan for infrastructure maintenance. This failure to plan effectively for the future is seen as a significant oversight.
While the situation raises serious concerns, there is an opportunity for improvement. Addressing these issues could lead to a re-evaluation of Walesi’s operational strategies, inspiring initiatives that prioritize compliance and efficiency. With the right changes, Walesi Fiji could evolve into a more effective service provider, ultimately enhancing the digital experience for households across the nation.
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