Papua New Guinea operator Telikom expanded its partnership with Kacific Broadband Satellites Group to bolster its network reach in the island nation.
In a statement, Kacific said the strategic partnership enables it to expand its services across all parts of Papua New Guinea. It also brings the operator “greater capacity” to connect homes and businesses. Ka-band satellite technology will be leveraged as part of this new agreement as a backup to the fibre system in the city of Lae.
Kacific noted Papua New Guinea is susceptible to earthquakes which damage fibre infrastructure. A recent one measured at 7.6 on the Richter scale in September this year damaging motorways and infrastructure.
The companies partnered in mid-2021 with Telikom tapping Kacific for satellite broadband services to connect customers that live in harsh terrains. Kacific has over 150 mobile sites in the country.
Nathaniel Lepani, Telikom head of sales and marketing said: “With the affordable, high-speed satellite service Kacific provides, Telikom can grow its customer base, and in doing so, advance social and economic development. So far, we’ve had an influential, successful partnership, and we’re looking forward to using the fibre backup service to ensure the continuity of our services for all customers.
“This strategic partnership lets us leverage the breadth and depth of Kacific’s satellite services, which are ideally suited to meet the current and future connectivity demands of PNG. In the long run, expanding internet access will lay a firmer groundwork for the implementation of PNG Vision 2050 Development Strategic Plan.”
Kacific chief commercial officer Brandon Seir added: “PNG has a very large rural population that will benefit substantially from internet access and the ability to use online tools for their work and education. Together with Telikom Limited, we’re changing lives in rural areas, as well as making PNG’s businesses more attractive on the international scale.”
