$55.9m internet cable link operational tomorrow

The Fiji-Vanuatu telecommunications cable system will be ready for commercial operation from tomorrow.
This is after the successful submarine optical fibre cable lay and system commissioning between FINTEL/Fiji and Interchange/Vanuatu which began in October.
A statement from FINTEL acting chief executive, George Samisoni said: “The 1,250km submarine cable system, at a cost of US$30 million ($55.9m), will link directly into the high capacity Southern Cross Cable enabling Vanuatu businesses to connect to the global telecommunications highway via USA, Australia, Asia and Europe.”
“The high speed Internet should be a life changing event for the people of Vanuatu and opens the door for e-commerce, e-education, e-health and e-government, to name a few.
“It will also be a major boon for the Government of Vanuatu and tourism.
“This is the second Pacific Island cable system to be landed at FINTEL’s Vatuwaqa Communications Gateway, positioning Fiji as the telecommunications hub of the Pacific.
“The Fiji-Tonga cable system, at a cost of US$34 million, was in operation from August 2013.
“Fiji businesses and institutions now have the opportunity to be directly connected to their business partners and counterparts in Tonga and Vanuatu.” — FINTEL