Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji launched their respective 5G services on Monday, just days after officially receiving 5G spectrum licences from Fiji’s Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications.

Under the licences issued late last week, Vodafone Fiji, Digicel Fiji and Telecom Fiji are set to roll out 5G in four phases, starting with Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, and Denarau, which include Fiji’s main economic corridors, ports and medical centres.

In a release on Monday, Digicel Fiji said it has launched its 5G network in parts of Suva, Nadi and Lautoka, boasting average data speeds between 600-700 Mbps, though it cautioned that actual speeds will depend on location, distance from the tower and how many people are using the network.

“This is just the beginning; we will be expanding 5G across major population centres in Fiji, bringing this incredible technology to more Fijians,” said Digicel Fiji CEO Farid Mohammed in a statement.

Phase 2 will see 5G coverage extended to to other town centres such as Nasinu, Lami, Labasa, and Savusavu. From 2027 into 2028, Phase 3 and 4 will expand 5G services to the remaining townships of Nausori, Sigatoka, Navua, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Korovou and Taveuni.

Vodafone Fiji said in a statement on Friday that it would launch its 5G network on Monday in all Phase 1 cities.

Both telcos advised users that theirs 5G service are unavailable for users with Apple and Samsung mobile devices, as they need software updates from the manufacturers to enable 5G functionality. Digicel and Vodafone said it will notify its customers once Apple and Samsung certify the updates.

5G customers will automatically drop down to 4G or 3G when they move outside 5G coverage areas, depending on what’s available.

Vodafone Fiji said it is investing US$100 million to upgrade and modernise its existing 2G/3G infrastructure to support 4G services, which it said will ensure reliable connectivity.

“Having successfully completed extensive user testing with confident results, we are assured this technology will significantly benefit key industries like healthcare, tourism, agriculture, and finance by unlocking new applications and efficiencies”, said Vodafone Fiji CEO Elenoa Biukoto in a statement.

Telecom Fiji had not made any public announcement about its 5G launch schedule as we went to post.