by TOT
• Broadband satellite internet connectivity is now being installed for Tonga, under a new agreement between Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) and Kacific Broadband Satellites International Ltd., signed in Singapore on 1 November.
Kacific is providing a satellite-based mobile backhaul solution to improve connectivity in underserved areas, and an enterprise-level back-up service to help mitigate the impact of future outages in Tonga.
In June 2022, a mobile backhaul solution was deployed at the two Niuas, the northern-most islands of Tonga.
Another two satellite terminal sites, one each in Vava‘u and Ha’apai, have been commissioned to provide connectivity, while the Tonga Domestic Cable Extension undergoes extensive repairs, from the destruction caused by the volcanic eruption of Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai in January.
More Bandwidth
At the same time, a 4.5 meter satellite terminal, which can facilitate a higher level of bandwidth usage, has been installed in Tonga. TCC and Kacific are now working to commission a terminal at ‘Atele on Tongatapu, at TCC’s strategic emergency site. It will be used as an enterprise-level back-up option, in case of future outages or damage to the international fibre cable connecting Nuku‘alofa to Suva, Fiji.
A portion of the capacity allocated to the terminals in the outer islands can be reallocated to the 4.5 meter terminal in Nuku‘alofa, in a fibre back up arrangement. This will ensure Nuku‘alofa has access to high-speed connectivity for critical applications in the event of a fibre outage.
Kacific TCC partnership
CEO for Kacific, Christian Patouraux said, that together with TCC they look forward to being part of Tonga’s digital future.
“We are committed to providing satellite services in Tonga to support the nation’s connectivity needs and ensure its resilience. We have a strong partnership with Tonga Communications Corporation, having worked together to provide emergency capacity in January 2022 following the fibre cut”.
He said that Kacific’s satellite connectivity and responsiveness would enable TCC to quickly deploy internet services to the people of Tonga when critical connectivity is most needed.
CEO for TCC, Sione Veikoso said that with Kacific’s partnership they would be well-equipped to address Tonga’s needs.
“Kacific understands the context of the Pacific. ….We look forward to a continued partnership with Kacific to increase the resiliency of the Kingdom of Tonga”.
Tonga is ranked as having the third-highest disaster risk worldwide, behind Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, according to the 2021 World Risk Report in a comparison of continents, Oceania has the highest disaster risk, predominantly due to its high exposure to extreme natural events.
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Kacific Claims Against the Kingdom of Tonga to be heard in April 2023
by TOT
• Kacific continues its claim against the Kingdom of Tonga despite the new partnership with the fully government owned Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), to provide broadband connectivity services.
Back in January and February of this year when the fibre cable connecting Tonga’s bandwidth was damaged in the volcanic eruption and became inoperative for 40 days, Kacific stepped in to provide a service which government has not paid for.
The government did not allow the issue of Tongan spectrum licenses required for Kacific satellite services to anyone other than government. This crippled businesses, and communications in and out of the kingdom was inoperative for some time.
Earlier in 2019 when the fibre cable was cut Kacific supplied hardware, the satellite connectivity, the expertise and personnel to provide the needed connectivity for Tonga during that period. Kacific’s CEO said they restored internet to government, the central bank, the airport and other facilities within 24 hours after the cable cut.
The company which is based in Singapore took legal action against the Tongan government to recover a fee of US$5.76 million, owed by a Tongan government entity, Tonga Satellite Ltd. The Board of this entity includes the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers.
The Tonga Government moved to deregister Tonga Satellite Ltd. from the business register, after the proceedings began on 19 January 2021, but that failed. Kacific Broadband Satellites International Ltd. succeeded in its civil application to the Tonga Supreme Court to have the government company restored to the register, in order to pursue its claims.
On 2 June, 2021 Lord Chief Justice Whitten ordered that Tonga Satellite Limited was to be restored to the Tongan Register of Companies.
Kacific Broadband Satellites Group headquartered in Singapore operates a KA-band satellite service delivering broadband access to Asia Pacific. Its main operations are out of Vanuatu.
The action against Tonga is scheduled to be heard in Singapore in April 2023.