ICT
From The Report: Papua New Guinea 2017
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Papua New Guinea’s ICT market is in the midst of a dynamic restructuring. Over the last decade the sector has experienced significant growth. However, despite advancements, pockets of isolated communities remain unconnected. As a result, the government has set out to expand the National Transmission Network, and along with the amalgamation of key state entities expected to encourage competition, the cost and availability of ICT services are set to briskly improve. Since the arrival of international competition in 2007, PNG has experienced a major shift in communications technology. Nevertheless, affordability remains a pressing issue and mobile adoption lags behind regional penetration rates, with PNG’s penetration rate representing one of the lowest in the South Pacific region.

This chapter contains an interview with Mahesh Patel, Chairman, Telikom PNG.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Change is calling: A series of reforms and infrastructure projects bring much-needed advances to the sector
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Papua New Guinea’s ICT market is in the midst of a dynamic restructuring. Over the last decade the sector has experienced significant growth. However, despite advancements, pockets of isolated communities remain unconnected. As a result, the government has set out to expand the National Transmission Network (NTN), and along with the amalgamation of key state entities expected to encourage competition, the cost and availability of ICT services are set to briskly improve. Since the arrival…

Interview

Branching out: Mahesh Patel, Chairman, Telikom PNG, on expanding services
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Interview: Mahesh Patel How do you see the recent merger impacting the telecommunications market in Papua New Guinea? MAHESH PATEL: This merger has been four years in the making – bmobile used to be part of Telikom, but when it was taken out the whole portfolio was weakened, allowing our competitor to grow. After much discussion it was decided bmobile, Telikom and DataCo would be consolidated, as to better compete in the market. If the three companies stood alone they would all fail, as none…

Analysis

Making connections: Concerted efforts under way to lower the cost of services and increase internet speeds
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In an attempt to close the gap on more developed nations, Papua New Guinea is pressing forward with major infrastructures projects while investing heavily in its bandwidth capabilities. Prior to the arrival of international competition in 2007, PNG relied almost entirely on dial-up internet connections. In 2017, after a decade of major infrastructure rollouts, the internet landscape of PNG has been transformed, and to the sector’s credit, many people in urban areas have access to high-speed…

Analysis

In with the new: Rapid advances in mobile phone technology boost a diverse range of economic sectors
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Access to innovative technologies is gradually changing the social fabric of Papua New Guinea by creating a platform whereby users can gain access to knowledge, share ideas and develop business initiatives. With its diverse terrain of mountains and heavy forests, the adoption of mobile phone technology presents huge advantages to the overall business climate in a country like PNG. From a communication perspective, it has allowed rural families to connect with urban dwellers and improved…

Analysis

Digital highway: A national fibre backbone project is taking place
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Papua New Guinea’s ability to handle greater volumes of data consumption is set to drastically increase as it expands its fibre backbone. Throughout 2016 and 2017 a number of strategic partnerships were struck to assist with the evolution of PNG’s technological architecture. Perhaps the most significant move as far as public commitment is concerned is the government’s decision to invest heavily in international connections, particularly a fibre backbone that is set to bolster the current…