VSAT connects remote PNG islands
VSAT connects remote PNG islands
The 500 people of Nihon Island outside Lorengau in Manus Province appear to be happy with the introduction of telephone and EFTPOS since the introduction in January 2010. The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system installed by Telikom PNG Ltd in late 2009. Before the connection the resident of the islands had to travel by boat to Lorengau to make phone calls. The cost of fuel alone for the trip was more than $300 (PNK750).
The service has allowed telephone calls and access to banking with EFTPOS. Nihon was the first island village in PNG to receive these services. Other local islands close to Manus Island such as Kali, Bipi, Salian, Andricon, Lessau, Harangan, Korojih, Jowan One and Two, Likum, Nydah, Sori, Bundrahei and Buke are also benefitting from the new telecoms services. The facilities are also being used by aid workers, public servants, schools and health centres
Telikom PNG’s VSAT allows six lines only for telephones and internet services but to power up the EFTPOS an additional six lines were needed. The EFTPOS uses software by Sky Edge enabling broadband IP access directly from the satellites.
For more information on telecoms on Papua New Guinea, see separate report: Papua New Guinea – Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics.
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Tagged in: Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, Papua New Guinea
