Tonga's connection to the outside world has taken a giant leap forward with the launch of a new multi - million high speed internet service.
The 827km fiber optic cable system linking Tonga to Fiji (FINTEL) via the Southern Cross Cable - the main trans - Pacific link between Australia and the United States - will provide Tonga’s population of 100,000 with affordable, accessible, information and communication technology services.
The new system is expected to be better than the existing satellite connection and improve business, health and education.
Bandwidth, which is currently around 20-30 megabits per second, is expected to increase to up to 10 gigabits per second.
The World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Tonga Cable Corporation (TCC), media and others joined the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga at a ceremony at the Tonga Cable Limited building to celebrate the arrival of high speed internet in Tonga.
FINTEL was represented by Company Director, Mr. Sashi Singh and the CEO, Mr. Ioane Koroivuki.
At the ceremony, from the station’s control room, the King of Tonga, Tupou VI in the presence of the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano officially commissioned the service with the click of a mouse, which delivered high speed internet to the people of Tonga for the first time ever. The US $32.8 million submarine cable system is being supported by the World Bank Group, ADB, and TCC.
"Today marks a historical occasion for Tonga and the beginning of a new era, as the Kingdom for the first time connects to high speed Internet which has been a dream of Ha'a Moheofo,” said Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano. “Faster Internet speed and higher bandwidth at cheaper and more affordable prices is a real opportunity for Tonga.”
“The advent of high speed internet is a landmark event for Tonga,” said Franz Drees - Gross, Country Director for the World Bank in Papua New Guinea, Timor - Leste and the Pacific Islands.
“The cable will make it faster and easier for Tongans to communicate which will bring profound benefits to development.” The arrival of high speed broadband is the latest milestone of the project which will boost Tonga’s international connectivity