Cheap internet needed

 By ZONYA GOASA

Communication and Information Technology Minister Jimmy Miringtoro said Papua New Guinea needs cheap internet pricing before necessary developments can occur.

Miringtoro, pictured, met with stakeholders yesterday in Port Moresby who deal with information communication technology to discuss measures which can address the high internet cost in the country.

The establishment of an internet exchange point (IXP) was a measure identified in the meet. It primarily keeps local internet traffic within local infrastructure and reduces the costs associated with traffic exchange between Internet Service Providers.

The IXP can improve the quality of internet services in a country by reducing the delays. 

Miringtoro said the government endorsed the National Broadband Policy and National Broadband Strategic Action Plan 2013 to 2018 last December to facilitate the broadband in PNG. 

He said the policy promoted the utilisation of high speed internet and affordable ICT services.

Miringtoro said: “The government recognises that internet as part of the Information and Communication Technology is necessary for development in Papua New Guinea.

“In 2007 with the inclusion of the mobile communication sector and then in 2008 with the issuance of the new ICT policy, the government of PNG is committed to ensuring ICT services are made widely accessible to all at affordable prices and acceptable quality.

“The ICT market grew enormously by 45%.

“The mobile sector has contributed to the national GDP with the entrance of Digicel PNG in 2007,” Miringtoro said.

“The introduction of competition in the mobile sector has enabled call rates to decrease by 65% but it’s not the same for the retail cost of internet. 

“Studies on the cost of internet in the region have shown that PNG has one of the highest internet rates in the Pacific,” he said.

He called on the National Informational Communications and Technology Authority to assist in bringing down the internet retail rates and access more affordable.