Digital connectivity

Government aims to improve access for all

GOVERNMENT will not stop until all Fijians have access to connectivity and access streamlined, fast, reliable, secure and value-adding digital services, says Deputy Prime Minister and Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica.

While opening the multi stakeholder roundtable discussion on investing in digital connectivity and bridging the digital divide in Fiji, Mr Kamikamica said while Fiji had roughly around 95 per cent connectivity, coverage needed to be reliable and stable.

“In Fiji, we have made significant progress in connecting 95 per cent of our people.

“This number, while debatable, is still impressive if we consider the geographical terrains and the inherent challenges of isolated, maritime, and remote communities,” Mr Kamikamica said.

“Even with the 95 per cent connectivity, coverage needs to be reliable and stable. And the Government will not stop until all our people have access to meaningful connectivity and access to streamlined, fast, reliable, secure and value-adding digital services.

“Because broadband cannot be thought of as a luxury item, access to the internet is just as crucial as access to roads, bridges, airports and ports. It is part of the infrastructure we exist in.”

Mr Kamikamica said Government has so far identified 240 sites which were already part of its universal services access initiative but this numbers might not reflect the actual numbers of unconnected activities.

“We are aware that this number does not fully reflect the number of our unconnected communities. We also need to also look at the quality-of-service. This is equally important.

“In addition to the connectivity programmes rolled out in our remote schools and health centre which communities are centred around, the UN Smart Island Programme is another key initiative which not only looks at providing connectivity but value-adding digital services.”

In 2021, while delivering his ministerial statement in Parliament, former attorney-general and Minister for Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said about 43,022 unconnected Fijians have been identified, along with 317 unconnected or poorly connected sites nationwide which covered 4.02 per cent or 34,590 Fijians in the remote areas.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also announced the Northern Connectivity Project “which aims to increase the availability of internet services in 40 sites in the Northern Division and to provide emergency communications equipment”, and this included schools and health centre.