National progress

Over 2015–2016, key developments in PNG’S telecommunications sector include: • Further progress on developing PNG’S National Transmission Network: the main fibreoptic connection between all the Highlands provinces, Lae, Madang and Port Moresby, expected by the third quarter of 2016. The commencement of work on a new submarine cable fibereoptic cable, ICN2, which will connect PNG to its Melanesian neighbours, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. The cable, which will connect with the existing ICN1 cable, which connects Vanuatu to Fiji and thus to the trans-pacific Southern Cross Cable Network, is scheduled to be ready by June 2016. Digicel and other telcos’ use of O3b’s low-orbiting satellite fleet to expand the 3G/4G network. The K20 million purchase by Telikom PNG of Media Niugini, which owns and operates the PNG’S main commercial TV company, EMTV.