Internet access 70% to 80% cheaper in PNG
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Internet access 70% to 80% cheaper in PNG
PORT MORESBY: Many in Papua New Guinea (PNG) were skeptical that the Government’s 4,700km fibre-optic submarine cable project for 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) platform would provide faster and cheaper internet access.
Today, the skeptics - from individual Papua New Guineans, investors to businesses - have been proven wrong.
Yesterday (Thursday July 3, 2019), Communications and Energy Minister Rainbo Paita announced that internet retail rates for consumers using Kumul Telikom PNG Holdings' (KTPNGH) digital data providers have been slashed between 70% and 80%.
The new and lower rates are K3 for 500MB a day, K6 for 1GB for three days, K12 for 2GB for seven days, K55 for 10GB for 30 days, K110 for 20GB for 30 days and K150 for 30GB for 30 days.
Previously, a 2GB 14-day data bundle was retailed at K60. The new digital data retail rates apply to consumers who subscribe to bmobile and TPNG digital data providers.
This comes even before the year-end completion and full operations of the Coral Sea twin submarine cables that serve to link at least 14 provinces in PNG.
KTPNGH, which is carrying out the Coral Sea 4G LTE platform construction with global telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies, has confirmed that the project is on track to be delivered by the end of the year.
The media quoted PNG DataCo Ltd general manager for commercial services Une O’ome as saying the 4G LTE platform would improve internet capabilities by 100 gigabytes per second (when fully completed and operational).
“It will be much better in comparison to what we have today, combining different technologies like sattle-lite, the old APNG-2 (Australia PNG Two) cable going from Port Moresby to Sydney and what we have going on the PPC-1 (Pipe Pacific Cable One) in Madang,” he added.
He said the Coral Sea cables, from day one, would have 100 gigabytes per second in Port Moresby, “almost 10 times what we already have towards December”.
This comes even before the year-end completion and full operations of the Coral Sea twin submarine cables that serve to link at least 14 provinces in PNG.
KTPNGH, which is carrying out the Coral Sea 4G LTE platform construction with global telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies, has confirmed that the project is on track to be delivered by the end of the year.
The media quoted PNG DataCo Ltd general manager for commercial services Une O’ome as saying the 4G LTE platform would improve internet capabilities by 100 gigabytes per second (when fully completed and operational).
“It will be much better in comparison to what we have today, combining different technologies like sattle-lite, the old APNG-2 (Australia PNG Two) cable going from Port Moresby to Sydney and what we have going on the PPC-1 (Pipe Pacific Cable One) in Madang,” he added.
He said the Coral Sea cables, from day one, would have 100 gigabytes per second in Port Moresby, “almost 10 times what we already have towards December”.
O’ome said when the cables were completed, it would be good for businesses in Port Moresby but the challenge would be to push that out to other centres.
“The challenge for us is to extend that out to the other parts of the country. So it’s not just the Coral Sea cable that we’re targeting.
“The government’s mandate for us is to build a nationwide national transmission network that will connect all the provincial cities of PNG.”
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below more details of PNG’s digital economy transformation as reported by The National:
You now pay less for internet
By CLARISSA MOIIT’S official. Internet rates for consumers using Telikom PNG and Bmobile have been slashed by between 70 and 80 per cent.
In what is a landmark moment in the telecommunication sector, Communication and Energy Minister Rainbo Paita said the lowering of internet rates would facilitate “higher and more efficient communication among our citizens”.
“We will now enjoy major reductions in fixed mobile data prices by the Kumul Telikom Holdings through its subsidiaries Bmobile and Telikom PNG,” he said.
“On average, internet prices have been reduced by 70 to 80 per cent.
“These are permanent price changes and not just a one-off campaign.”
Paita said it was consistent with the Government’s plan to transform and grow the country’s economy, cultivate new practices and provide new jobs.
“This massive reduction in rates will also involve higher and efficient communication among our citizens,” he said.
Paita said information and communication technology was a cross-cutting enabler to transform the country economically. He said customers should expect continuous price reductions in all products including fixed internet services on fibre, assymetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and fixed wireless broadband.
“This reduction should encourage more Papua New Guinea citizens to start more small medium enterprises and businesses as well as enable increased productivity for existing companies.
Telikom PNG began reducing its rates on Monday (July 1).
Bmobile began at 12:01am yesterday (July 03).
Telikom PNG’s 2GB (gigabytes) for seven days which previously cost K18 will now be K10.
Bmobile’s 150MB (megabytes) for seven days was previously K10. It will be now be 2GB for K12.
The new data rates for Bmobile are: 500 megabytes (MB) for one day for K3; 1 gigabyte (GB) for three days for K6; 2GB for seven days for K12; 10GB for 30 days for K55 and 20GB for 30 days for K150.
Telikom PNG’s new rates are: 1BG for one day for K5; 2GB for seven days for K10; 20GB for 30 days for K95; 50GB for 30 days for K230; 100GB for 30 days for K450, and 200GB for 30 days at K875. Telikom PNG’s sales and marketing manager Silas Matoli said they expected an influx of customers given the reduction in internet cost.
“With the current capacity, we are able to cater for the increased demand in bandwidth. But if there is any need, (obviously) we will go back to DataCo PNG Ltd which is the wholesale, to add on more value,” he said.
Matoli said there would be a decline in revenue to the company but they had plans to cushion that.
“We are looking at aggressively going into the market and getting all the market shares.”
In what is a landmark moment in the telecommunication sector, Communication and Energy Minister Rainbo Paita said the lowering of internet rates would facilitate “higher and more efficient communication among our citizens”.
“We will now enjoy major reductions in fixed mobile data prices by the Kumul Telikom Holdings through its subsidiaries Bmobile and Telikom PNG,” he said.
“On average, internet prices have been reduced by 70 to 80 per cent.
“These are permanent price changes and not just a one-off campaign.”
Paita said it was consistent with the Government’s plan to transform and grow the country’s economy, cultivate new practices and provide new jobs.
“This massive reduction in rates will also involve higher and efficient communication among our citizens,” he said.
Paita said information and communication technology was a cross-cutting enabler to transform the country economically. He said customers should expect continuous price reductions in all products including fixed internet services on fibre, assymetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and fixed wireless broadband.
“This reduction should encourage more Papua New Guinea citizens to start more small medium enterprises and businesses as well as enable increased productivity for existing companies.
Telikom PNG began reducing its rates on Monday (July 1).
Bmobile began at 12:01am yesterday (July 03).
Telikom PNG’s 2GB (gigabytes) for seven days which previously cost K18 will now be K10.
Bmobile’s 150MB (megabytes) for seven days was previously K10. It will be now be 2GB for K12.
The new data rates for Bmobile are: 500 megabytes (MB) for one day for K3; 1 gigabyte (GB) for three days for K6; 2GB for seven days for K12; 10GB for 30 days for K55 and 20GB for 30 days for K150.
Telikom PNG’s new rates are: 1BG for one day for K5; 2GB for seven days for K10; 20GB for 30 days for K95; 50GB for 30 days for K230; 100GB for 30 days for K450, and 200GB for 30 days at K875. Telikom PNG’s sales and marketing manager Silas Matoli said they expected an influx of customers given the reduction in internet cost.
“With the current capacity, we are able to cater for the increased demand in bandwidth. But if there is any need, (obviously) we will go back to DataCo PNG Ltd which is the wholesale, to add on more value,” he said.
Matoli said there would be a decline in revenue to the company but they had plans to cushion that.
“We are looking at aggressively going into the market and getting all the market shares.”
Country already enjoying cheaper, faster internet
PAPUA New Guineans and businesses are already starting to enjoy cheaper and faster internet access in the country.
This follows news that its 4,700km fibre-optic submarine cable is on track to be delivered by the end of the year.
In the past, a 2Gb 14-day data bundle was retailed at K60. Today, a 30-day 10Gb data bundle costs only K55.
This means Telikom PNG 4G subscription charges are down by about 80 per cent.
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd chief executive officer Jacky Xu, pictured, said: “Our vision is to deliver digital connection to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.
“That is why we believe that it is everyone’s basic right to be digitalised and connected in this modern era.
“We are working hard here, hoping it (vision) will be realised in PNG.
“As Bmobile’s strategic partner, we admire our customer’s huge investment in connectivity.
“We are very honoured to be part of their mission towards a better connected PNG.
“Moving forward, Huawei PNG promises its full commitment in contributing to PNG’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) development.
“We will further increase our efforts and investment to enable our customers to enjoy the best and affordable network services, be it at home or an organisation.”
In a recent panel discussion in Port Moresby, PNG DataCo Ltd general manager for commercial services Une O’ome said the 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) platform cables being developed with Huawei would improve internet capabilities by 100 gigabytes per second (when completed and operational).
“It will be much better in comparison to what we have today, combining different technologies like sattle-lite, the old APNG-2 (Australia PNG Two) cable going from Port Moresby to Sydney and what we have going on the PPC-1 (Pipe Pacific Cable One) in Madang,” he added.
This follows news that its 4,700km fibre-optic submarine cable is on track to be delivered by the end of the year.
In the past, a 2Gb 14-day data bundle was retailed at K60. Today, a 30-day 10Gb data bundle costs only K55.
This means Telikom PNG 4G subscription charges are down by about 80 per cent.
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd chief executive officer Jacky Xu, pictured, said: “Our vision is to deliver digital connection to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.
“That is why we believe that it is everyone’s basic right to be digitalised and connected in this modern era.
“We are working hard here, hoping it (vision) will be realised in PNG.
“As Bmobile’s strategic partner, we admire our customer’s huge investment in connectivity.
“We are very honoured to be part of their mission towards a better connected PNG.
“Moving forward, Huawei PNG promises its full commitment in contributing to PNG’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) development.
“We will further increase our efforts and investment to enable our customers to enjoy the best and affordable network services, be it at home or an organisation.”
In a recent panel discussion in Port Moresby, PNG DataCo Ltd general manager for commercial services Une O’ome said the 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) platform cables being developed with Huawei would improve internet capabilities by 100 gigabytes per second (when completed and operational).
“It will be much better in comparison to what we have today, combining different technologies like sattle-lite, the old APNG-2 (Australia PNG Two) cable going from Port Moresby to Sydney and what we have going on the PPC-1 (Pipe Pacific Cable One) in Madang,” he added.
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