Papua New Guineans’ hope for affordable internet access
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| Univeristy of Technology-Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd Memorandum of Understanding signing fo4 the establishment of Huawei ICT Academy in Unitech in Lae. |
Papua New Guineans’ hope for affordable internet access
PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guineans and businesses are eagerly waiting for completion and commissioning of the Coral Sea Cable (CSC) by the end of this year.
All are hoping that the 4G digital platform, being developed by PNG DataCo and Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co Ltd will significantly bring down the retail prices of internet access.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below reports by The National at the 2nd PNG Digital Forum at The Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, on May 16, 2019:
Transforming PNG into a digital economy
As Papua New Guinea (PNG) completes its 4G infrastructure by the end of this year, the Government is going all out to propel the country’s transformation into a digital economy. The National’s senior writer MALUM NALU was at the PNG Digital Forum 2019 to report the details.
THE World Bank estimates that by 2040, PNG could boost its economy by US$5 billion (K16.9 billion) and create 300,000 jobs.
However, realistically, that can only be possible with a drastic reduction in retail data cost in PNG.
Internet access must be made more affordable to the majority of Papua New Guineans so that the country’s internet penetration rises significantly to create a huge cyber marketplace for both consumers and businesses.
And Papua New Guineans are keeping their fingers crossed that internet access will become really affordable when the Coral Sea cable is completed by the end of this year.
The first stage of the Kumul domestic cable – a fibre optic link from Port Moresby to Madang, via Alotau, Popondetta and Lae – was completed on Feb 19.
The 4G project, developed by PNG DataCo and Chinese firm Huawei, has resulted in a boost in transmission speeds compared to previous traffic in tests conducted thus far.
The new cable is to connect with two other fibre-optic networks, one linking Jayapura in Indonesia to Arawa via seven coastal cities, and the other linking Daru to Kerema.
All three stages of the project are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, according to news reports attributing to PNG DataCo. PNG Government’s ambition to transform the country into a digital economy was initiated in 2016 when Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co won the tender to build a network in the South Pacific nation.
Huawei won the tender amid espionage allegations by the US. Later, the US mobilised its allies, Australia and Japan, to mount an 11th-hour counter offer.
But, the PNG Government dismissed the allegations and concerns.
At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Port Moresby last November, then Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister William Duma said PNG would uphold its agreement with Huawei.
“We have an existing agreement. It’s about honour and integrity, once you enter into a deal and an arrangement you go with it.,” Duma told Reuters on the telephone from Port Moresby.
Then, Huawei had already completed about 60% of the work to build a 5,457km network of submarine cables linking 14 coastal towns in the resource-rich PNG of some eight million people.
Last November, Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pte Ltd launched its ICT Talent Programme to contribute to PNG’s digital development.
On May 16, at the PNG Digital Economy Forum 2019, Huawei inked an agreement with PNG University of Technology (Unitech) to promote open innovation academic programme and training.
The forum was initiated by the PNG Government and organised by the National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) in association with Huawei.
In his opening address at the forum, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said for PNG to benefit from the ICT (global) revolution, smart phone use and internet penetration must be high, covering all rural areas.
“(If possible) everyone must be digitally connected in urban and rural areas. The Government is taking the lead with the Australian Government agreeing to lay the 20-terabyte cable from Sydney to Port Moresby.
“That will be ready before the end of the year. The domestic submarine cable is nearing completion to provide the international gateway to Asia via Jayapura.
“And, the terrestrial fibre-optic network will connect the provinces, from Madang to Mt Hagen and to Hides. The power project will provide 70% coverage nationwide,” he added.
However, realistically, that can only be possible with a drastic reduction in retail data cost in PNG.
Internet access must be made more affordable to the majority of Papua New Guineans so that the country’s internet penetration rises significantly to create a huge cyber marketplace for both consumers and businesses.
And Papua New Guineans are keeping their fingers crossed that internet access will become really affordable when the Coral Sea cable is completed by the end of this year.
The first stage of the Kumul domestic cable – a fibre optic link from Port Moresby to Madang, via Alotau, Popondetta and Lae – was completed on Feb 19.
The 4G project, developed by PNG DataCo and Chinese firm Huawei, has resulted in a boost in transmission speeds compared to previous traffic in tests conducted thus far.
The new cable is to connect with two other fibre-optic networks, one linking Jayapura in Indonesia to Arawa via seven coastal cities, and the other linking Daru to Kerema.
All three stages of the project are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, according to news reports attributing to PNG DataCo. PNG Government’s ambition to transform the country into a digital economy was initiated in 2016 when Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co won the tender to build a network in the South Pacific nation.
Huawei won the tender amid espionage allegations by the US. Later, the US mobilised its allies, Australia and Japan, to mount an 11th-hour counter offer.
But, the PNG Government dismissed the allegations and concerns.
At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Port Moresby last November, then Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister William Duma said PNG would uphold its agreement with Huawei.
“We have an existing agreement. It’s about honour and integrity, once you enter into a deal and an arrangement you go with it.,” Duma told Reuters on the telephone from Port Moresby.
Then, Huawei had already completed about 60% of the work to build a 5,457km network of submarine cables linking 14 coastal towns in the resource-rich PNG of some eight million people.
Last November, Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pte Ltd launched its ICT Talent Programme to contribute to PNG’s digital development.
On May 16, at the PNG Digital Economy Forum 2019, Huawei inked an agreement with PNG University of Technology (Unitech) to promote open innovation academic programme and training.
The forum was initiated by the PNG Government and organised by the National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) in association with Huawei.
In his opening address at the forum, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said for PNG to benefit from the ICT (global) revolution, smart phone use and internet penetration must be high, covering all rural areas.
“(If possible) everyone must be digitally connected in urban and rural areas. The Government is taking the lead with the Australian Government agreeing to lay the 20-terabyte cable from Sydney to Port Moresby.
“That will be ready before the end of the year. The domestic submarine cable is nearing completion to provide the international gateway to Asia via Jayapura.
“And, the terrestrial fibre-optic network will connect the provinces, from Madang to Mt Hagen and to Hides. The power project will provide 70% coverage nationwide,” he added.
Punaha … broadband and connectivity issues to be resolved upon completion of Coral Sea Cable
National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) chief executive officer Charles Punaha said broadband and connectivity issues would be addressed upon the completion of the Coral Sea Cable (CSC).
“We now want to encourage the Government to invest in the sector and look into the universal access service (UAS) issues.
National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) chief executive officer Charles Punaha said broadband and connectivity issues would be addressed upon the completion of the Coral Sea Cable (CSC).
“We now want to encourage the Government to invest in the sector and look into the universal access service (UAS) issues.
The opportunity and challenges of building a better connected digital economy in PNG
Avira … conducive policies already in place for digital businesses
Information and Communications Technology Secretary John Avira said conducive policies were already in place on how business needs to be conducted in the ICT economy.
“PNG’s ICT roadmap has already been approved. In my view, we need to connect the rural population to cities like Port Moresby, Lae and the main centres.
“It’s a challenge going into the unprofitable rural markets and maintaining services,” he said, adding that the rural populace need to be educated on the need to be digitally connected.
“Also, we really can’t connect them if the infrastructure is not in place.
Land is one of the key issues that our policies need to address with the landowners,” he added.
He said land was being cultivated everywhere and the digital threat had caused telecommunication infrastructure to be vandalised, affecting those connected.
Information and Communications Technology Secretary John Avira said conducive policies were already in place on how business needs to be conducted in the ICT economy.
“PNG’s ICT roadmap has already been approved. In my view, we need to connect the rural population to cities like Port Moresby, Lae and the main centres.
“It’s a challenge going into the unprofitable rural markets and maintaining services,” he said, adding that the rural populace need to be educated on the need to be digitally connected.
“Also, we really can’t connect them if the infrastructure is not in place.
Land is one of the key issues that our policies need to address with the landowners,” he added.
He said land was being cultivated everywhere and the digital threat had caused telecommunication infrastructure to be vandalised, affecting those connected.
Digital transformation journey to build digital economy in PNG
Narayan … PNG expected to leapfrog into the digital economy
International Telecommunications Union programme coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Anish Narayan said digital transformation was needed to fast track PNG’s economy.
He said ICT was already a global phenomenon driven by smart mobility access.
“The global digital traffic is growing rapidly, with about 70% mobile broadband penetration.
“With the advent of optical fibre in PNG, digital connections and speed are going exponential,” Narayan said, adding that PNG was expected to leapfrog into the digital economy.
International Telecommunications Union programme coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Anish Narayan said digital transformation was needed to fast track PNG’s economy.
He said ICT was already a global phenomenon driven by smart mobility access.
“The global digital traffic is growing rapidly, with about 70% mobile broadband penetration.
“With the advent of optical fibre in PNG, digital connections and speed are going exponential,” Narayan said, adding that PNG was expected to leapfrog into the digital economy.
NTN – Revolutionising ICT connectivity in PNG and to the world
Komboi … hopes CSC really slashes cost of internet access
DataCo Ltd managing-director Paul Komboi said the CSC from Australia was expected to be completed by December linking and networking Port Moresby, Sydney and Honiara in Solomon Islands.
“Work has already started at the stages and locations and the cable is expected to arrive here early next month. The key issue for PNG now is to really agree with its partners on how to manage the cable. We want keep costs as low as possible.
“We really want to see the CSC slashing the retail cost of internet connections.
“We are hoping, if we are lucky, to have the cable operational before Christmas, if not January next year,” Komboi said.
He said the cost reduction would benefit enterprises, businesses and consumers who access the digital data.
“We are already partnering with various Government institutions like Health and Education, as part of our community responsibility to the country,” he added.
DataCo Ltd managing-director Paul Komboi said the CSC from Australia was expected to be completed by December linking and networking Port Moresby, Sydney and Honiara in Solomon Islands.
“Work has already started at the stages and locations and the cable is expected to arrive here early next month. The key issue for PNG now is to really agree with its partners on how to manage the cable. We want keep costs as low as possible.
“We really want to see the CSC slashing the retail cost of internet connections.
“We are hoping, if we are lucky, to have the cable operational before Christmas, if not January next year,” Komboi said.
He said the cost reduction would benefit enterprises, businesses and consumers who access the digital data.
“We are already partnering with various Government institutions like Health and Education, as part of our community responsibility to the country,” he added.
Will 4G be a game changer for the country?
Top 10 4G LTE coverage as measured by OpenSignal.com in October, November and December 2018.
ACCORDING to OpenSignal.com, only 29 out of 89 countries have achieved a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) penetration of 80% and above end of last year.
The highest penetration is India at 98.8% followed by South Korea (97.49%) and Japan (94.49%). At position 29 is Croatia (80.44%).
Surprising to many, Germany is ranked 70 with only a 65.67% 4G LTE penetration! At the bottom of the list is Ukraine (20.94%).
It is reported that there are more than 200 ICT operators in 85 countries investing in 5G networks in some form or another by last March.
As Papua New Guinea embraces the 4G spectrum end of this year with the completion of the Coral Sea fibre-optic networks, what then is 4G (4th Generation) and 4G LTE?
To the layman, 4G is just about a faster digital platform to access the internet and App applications. What is expected to be faster is 5G and research has already started into developing 6G!
LTE is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals that increases capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. In short, 4G LTE is between 4G and 5G with the global mobile industry now focusing on expanding access to LTE signals to more consumers and places.
The concept of 4G mobile networks was defined in 2008, differing 4G and 3G specifications, and 4G was referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-Advanced or now universally known as LTE.
ICT infrastructure and smart devices provider Huawei, now arguably the global leader in 5G, has been tasked by the PNG Government to grow the country’s 4G digital spectrum and economy.
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, founded in 1987, is a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics manufacturer, headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Xu … confident of ICT future for PNG
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd Chief Executive Officer Jacky Xu said Huawei was extremely delighted to partner with the PNG Government to help develop the country’s ICT platform.
“Our entry into PNG is just like any other corporate business. We also recognise our need to contribute to the country via corporate social responsibility, education and training.
“That is why we are the major sponsor of this second edition of NICTA forum and expo. We also supported the maiden forum two years ago,” he added.
Xu said: “We are very confident of the future (for ICT technology) in the country. A drop in the retail price for internet access by the end of this year will augur well for PNG.
“That is what is happening in every country. More people can afford more data, connect to the world, benefit from knowledge and information over the next three years. Businesses too will reap benefits from lower data cost and speedier digital transactions.”
ACCORDING to OpenSignal.com, only 29 out of 89 countries have achieved a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) penetration of 80% and above end of last year.
The highest penetration is India at 98.8% followed by South Korea (97.49%) and Japan (94.49%). At position 29 is Croatia (80.44%).
Surprising to many, Germany is ranked 70 with only a 65.67% 4G LTE penetration! At the bottom of the list is Ukraine (20.94%).
It is reported that there are more than 200 ICT operators in 85 countries investing in 5G networks in some form or another by last March.
As Papua New Guinea embraces the 4G spectrum end of this year with the completion of the Coral Sea fibre-optic networks, what then is 4G (4th Generation) and 4G LTE?
To the layman, 4G is just about a faster digital platform to access the internet and App applications. What is expected to be faster is 5G and research has already started into developing 6G!
LTE is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals that increases capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. In short, 4G LTE is between 4G and 5G with the global mobile industry now focusing on expanding access to LTE signals to more consumers and places.
The concept of 4G mobile networks was defined in 2008, differing 4G and 3G specifications, and 4G was referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-Advanced or now universally known as LTE.
ICT infrastructure and smart devices provider Huawei, now arguably the global leader in 5G, has been tasked by the PNG Government to grow the country’s 4G digital spectrum and economy.
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, founded in 1987, is a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics manufacturer, headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Xu … confident of ICT future for PNG
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd Chief Executive Officer Jacky Xu said Huawei was extremely delighted to partner with the PNG Government to help develop the country’s ICT platform.
“Our entry into PNG is just like any other corporate business. We also recognise our need to contribute to the country via corporate social responsibility, education and training.
“That is why we are the major sponsor of this second edition of NICTA forum and expo. We also supported the maiden forum two years ago,” he added.
Xu said: “We are very confident of the future (for ICT technology) in the country. A drop in the retail price for internet access by the end of this year will augur well for PNG.
“That is what is happening in every country. More people can afford more data, connect to the world, benefit from knowledge and information over the next three years. Businesses too will reap benefits from lower data cost and speedier digital transactions.”
Renagi … Unitech-Huawei partnership to produce world class technocrats
University of Technology (Unitech) Vice-Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei was to formalise the establishment of the Huawei ICT Academy in Unitech in Lae.
“This partnership will produce world class technocrats for PNG and meet the human capital needs of a digital economy. We understand the importance of having the best ICT infrastructure in the country.
“Huawei is willing to invest in Unitech for training. That’s the type of partnership that we want to see with industries.”
Last November, Huawei donated US$30,000 (K100,000) for scholarships. Excellent ICT students will be identified by Unitech and rewarded.
University of Technology (Unitech) Vice-Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei was to formalise the establishment of the Huawei ICT Academy in Unitech in Lae.
“This partnership will produce world class technocrats for PNG and meet the human capital needs of a digital economy. We understand the importance of having the best ICT infrastructure in the country.
“Huawei is willing to invest in Unitech for training. That’s the type of partnership that we want to see with industries.”
Last November, Huawei donated US$30,000 (K100,000) for scholarships. Excellent ICT students will be identified by Unitech and rewarded.
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