Executive happy with completion of network

The National Business
Paul Komboi

THE Kumul submarine cable network (KSCN) is set to be commissioned next month following the successful completion of cable laying across the country, according to PNG Dataco Ltd.
Chief executive officer Paul Komboi expressed satisfaction with the completion of the national submarine broadband cable and said despite the health challenges with the coronavirus pandemic, PNG Dataco and its partners were able to strictly observe the state of emergency regulations and complete the cable laying.
He said with all systems under the KSCN completed, the commissioning of the cable was set for next month (July).
Komboi added that the country’s wholesale internet service provider would launch its new wholesale internet pricing during the cable commissioning.
PNG Dataco stated that a 241.2km span of submarine cable laid from Kerema, Gulf, to Daru, Western, was completed on Tuesday, signifying the completion of the KSCN.
It said the landing on Nabaro beachfront was peacefully received by the local community and government officials of Daru Island.
The landing itself was challenging considering the strong undercurrent from the Fly River and other two tributaries and a low tide.
PNG DataCo engineers, contractors and local workers assisted by dragging the cable 400m from the shoreline to its termination manhole.
The 241.2km length concludes the system 3 landing of KSCN including system 1 and 2. The KSCN is delivered in three parts:

  • System 1 consisting of 5,457km, extending from Jayapura to Bougainville, with branches into Vanimo, Wewak, Lorengau, Madang, Kimbe, Kavieng and Kokopo, which was completed last month;
  • System 2 connects Port Moresby to Madang with branches into Alotau, Popondetta and Lae which was completed in February; and,
  • System 3 connects Kerema and Daru.