26th July, 2019 Niuas Member of Parliament Hon Vatau Hui commissioned the Tongan Government and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Satellite Project in Niuafo’ou today. The new VSAT (very small aperture terminal) is hoped to provide a high-speed internet connection for the people of Niuafo’ou and to assist the island’s emergency communications.
The VSAT was installed at the Government’s Representative office, where the people of Niuafo’ou can access the internet free of charge for the next 10 months with a speed of 20 megabit per second (20mbps).
Hon Vatau Hui said that the newly installed equipment will boost development in critical areas such as health, agriculture, fisheries, economic, health and others.
“More than 90% of Tonga’s population in Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u access to fast and affordable internet through the fibre optic cable. Through this project the people of Niuafo’ou will access to high-speed internet as well.”
TCC has also been providing internet service to Niuafo’ou as well as smart mobile phones service.
Hon. Vatau Hui also urged the government for continued maintenance support in order to successfully sustain this worthy project for the people of Niuatoputapu.
Director of Communications Department and MEIDECC staff who arranged the project with the ITU, together with Niuafo’ou’s Acting Government Representative Mr Solomone Tavalea and other guests were present at the occasion.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.