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For Those Needing Detailed Overviews and Statistics on the South Pacific Islands Region Telecoms Sector This Report Provides Essential Reading

Posted on: Thursday, 20 December 2007, 12:00 CST

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c78047) has announced the addition of "2008 South Pacific Islands -- Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband" to their offering.

Less than half of all Pacific Islanders have a phone and generally only has one supplier for any particular fixed, mobile or Internet service. Internet cafes and telecentres help to address the issue of low Internet penetration. To communicate outside the region, most islands are in a satellite footprint and both Fiji and Guam are connected by submarine cable.

Penetration rates of telecom services in the region remain comparatively low, although mobile and Internet penetration have gained traction in some of the more highly populated and developed islands such as Fiji, PNG and Guam. Access to basic telecom services remains relatively expensive.

Following the 2007 Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, officials revealed that strong progress had been made to the digital connectivity plan. The strategy largely comprises two parts, a dedicated Pacific Islands satellite system sponsored by Australia, and the construction of a new cable connecting the 12 member nations and partially funded by the French government. Pacific leaders are aiming for a 2008 implementation of a major new undersea cable network and satellite links servicing island nations throughout the region.

Mobile telephony is expected to continue outpacing growth in fixed-line connections as the market moves into 2008. New technologies are gaining ground in some island countries. Several of the South Pacific nations are upgrading satellite links to outer islands, installing wireless broadband and upgrading fixed-line broadband capability and some are rolling out high-speed ADSL2+ broadband. There is strong interest amongst South Pacific operators regarding WiMAX as a communications solution.

In November 2007 Fiji's first licensed VoIP service provider, VoiceNetIP (Fiji) Ltd, planned to launch commercial operations after waiting three years for its VoIP licence.

Key highlights

Market overview

-- The islands comprised a total economic market of about US$20 billion. The Pacific Islands Trade Agreement governs the tiny proportion of trade that is conducted between the islands themselves in the region.

-- In November 2007, after a lengthy process, the Fiji interim government passed a New Telecommunications Bill that fully deregulated Fiji's telecom sector. The New Bill effectively ends the exclusive privileges granted to Telecom Fiji, Fintel and Vodafone Fiji.

-- The Pacific Island Countries have three major options in terms of improving telecommunications access -- satellite communications, submarine cable, and mobile wireless computing.

-- There are few submarine cables in the region, therefore, satellite communications plays a critical role in both the national and international infrastructure.

-- Mobile telephony is expected to continue outpacing growth in fixed-line connections as the market moves into 2008.

Broadband

-- Fixed-line broadband via ADSL, WiFi (wireless broadband via hotspots), fixed access wireless broadband and satellite broadband are now available in number of countries.

-- Several South Pacific nations are upgrading satellite links to outer islands, installing wireless broadband and upgrading fixed-line broadband capability with a number rolling out high-speed ADSL2+ broadband.

-- There is strong interest among South Pacific operators regarding WiMAX as a communications solution. Operators are attracted by its relatively low-cost, simplicity and mobility upgrade path.

-- By July 2007, Paclink's WiMAX installation had seen Fiji's Fintel claim 68% of its Phase 1 target market, which comprised large enterprises and government departments, in Suva.

-- By July 2007 a wireless broadband WiMAX project was planned for OPT in New Caledonia as well as Tahiti later in 2007 by WiMAX vendor Paclink.

-- The University of the South Pacific reported that by late 2007, there should be an island-wide WiFi network installed on Nauru -- the world's first ever island-wide WiFi/WIMAX network powered by Renewable Energy.

-- WiFi services are now available throughout Tonga.

Islands covered include: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

For those needing detailed overviews and statistics on the South Pacific Islands region, this report provides essential reading and gives in-depth information on:

-- An overall market overview and statistics for each South Pacific Island

-- Telecommunications infrastructure

-- Regulatory developments

-- Broadband and mobile developments

-- Fixed network voice

Contents:

1. Market Overview

2. Overview By Island

3. Glossary Of Abbreviations

List of tables

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c78047.

Source: Business Wire

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