From left: Telecom Fiji Limited chairman, Tom Ricketts, Attorney-General and Minister for Communications, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Telecom Fiji Limited chief executive officer, Ivan Fong look on as Telecom Fiji Limited staff (in blue) demonstrates the use of the Connect Wi-Fi card on a computer at the newly-opened Connect Cafe in Lami yesterday. Photo: RANOBA BAOA
By RANOBA BAOA
Telecom Fiji Limited for the first time has expanded its Connect internet services to Lami town by opening up an internet cafe and Wi-Fi hotspots.
In doing so, the $80,000 project will allow nearby community to access faster and more effective speeds and more effective internet coverage.
The Connect Wi-Fi access in Lami’s central business district area is enabled through access points that have been installed in strategic locations in and around the town.
A-G welcomes initiative
Acting Prime Minister, Attorney-General and Minister for Communications, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this was an welcome move by the telecommunications company.
“For TFL to venture out of Suva and many would probably think that Lami is part of Suva (but I’m sure the administrator would disagree otherwise) I understand that this is their first step towards putting out TFL services via internet to various other parts of Fiji,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“And we commend them for that and encourage them not to shut down the internet cafe on holidays and on Sundays because people still do make use of it and in fact that’s probably the only time they can make use of it.”
Giving back
Telecom Fiji chairman Tom Ricketts said: “It is an opportunity for us to give something back to Lami community who have given so much to the TFL and Connect family through their support.”
He added that this initiative was a sign of their commitment towards Government’s initiative to have 100 per cent telecommunications coverage Fiji-wide.
Lami businessman, Jasper Singh welcomed the initiative.
“The people of Lami are very grateful for this move by the Telecom in enabling this community to gain and access information at convenient locations,” Mr Singh said.
“We have internet cafes around but they are not up to this standard and the search and I hope that the service hours are extended to cater for the demand of the community.”
Meanwhile Mr Sayed-Khaiyum added that the one per cent revenue contributed by telecommunications companies in Fiji was towards Government’s 100 per cent telecommunications coverage.
“It part of the Universal Service Fund. It’s not given to government per se.
Through the Ministry of Communications we are looking at to setting up 100 per cent network coverage which costs a lot of money.”