ICT
From The Report: Papua New Guinea 2019
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With the completion of two undersea fibre-optic cable projects due in the near term, Papua New Guinea’s ICT industry is on the cusp of significant change. The new infrastructure should bring down costs, improve internet speeds and reliability, and galvanise the ICT sector through the proliferation of digital and cloud-computing industries. Internet costs in PNG are among the highest in the region, with many businesses paying extra to have a combination of fixed-line, satellite and microwave wireless plans to ensure continuity of service in the event of disruption. As service provision improves in the coming years, funds previously allocated to securing a stable connection will be channelled towards other investments. In this light, the government has identified the digital economy as a primary area of focus. Solid foundations should allow small and medium-sized enterprises to tap global e-commerce channels, while enabling digital businesses to flourish across the broader economy. This chapter also contains an interview with Paul Komboi, Managing Director, DataCo.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

New connections: Key infrastructure investments and increased competition are expected to support the burgeoning digital economy
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With the completion of two undersea fibre-optic cable projects due in the near term, Papua New Guinea’s ICT industry is on the cusp of significant change. The new infrastructure should bring down costs, improve internet speed and reliability, and galvanise the ICT sector through the proliferation of digital and cloud-computing industries. Internet costs in PNG are among the highest in the region, with many businesses paying extra to have a combination of fixed-line, satellite and microwave wireless…

Interview

Greater reach: Paul Komboi, Managing Director, DataCo, on developments to the National Transmission Network (NTN)
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Interview:Paul Komboi What steps are being taken to improve both network connectivity and capacity? PAUL KOMBOI: Two projects are under way to help boost Papua New Guinea’s internet capacity and quality. The first stage of the fibre-optic Kumul Submarine Cable Network was finished at the beginning of 2019, connecting Port Moresby to Madang via Alotau, Popondetta and Lae. The marine portion of the project was completed in 34 days, and the coastal project will eventually be linked to two…

Analysis

Cable ready: Subsea cables connecting the country to Australia and Solomon Islands are set to boost internet speeds and capacity
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The Coral Sea Cable System (CSCS), backed by Australia, appears to be on track for completion by the end of 2019, bringing an additional 20 Tbps of capacity to Papua New Guinea as of 2020. Several project milestones have been completed, with all but the system commissioning stage of the project under way as of September 2019. At present PNG relies on two subsea optical cables that provide approximately 2.5 Gbps of capacity. However, costs remain high and services slow. Previously, a lack of government…

Analysis

Leapfrog potential: Financial technology and digital development initiatives are made possible by improved internet access
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The World Bank estimates that improving internet access in Papua New Guinea could boost GDP by $5bn and create an additional 300,000 jobs by 2040. The completion of the Coral Sea Cable System and the National Transmission Network is integral to ushering in a new era in which digital technology can help address PNG’s development and financial inclusion challenges. This is crucial, as an estimated two-thirds of the population lack access to formal financial services, while some 2m people are living…