Govt welcomes Vodafone

Business

DEPUTY Prime Minister Sam Basil says access to affordable telecommunications connectivity will transform the country.
He said during the launching of Vodafone PNG, the country’s third mobile operator, that it was expected to stimulate competition and increase market penetration.
“We welcome Vodafone PNG as this is in line with the Government’s vision in making sure that there are many players in the telecommunications industry in PNG,” Basil said.
“PNG ICT’s focus is on digital transformation to improve governance and sustainable competition.
“I would like to urge all Papua New Guineans to start using Vodafone technologies.
“Penetration in PNG is low and therefore there is room for a third player. We cannot do much with two players and I am very happy that with a third player, we can see competition in PNG.
“A robust telecommunications infrastructure is essential to the development of industries and sectors as well, such as health, education and financial inclusion to name a few.
“Vodafone’s investment of about K3 billion will generate a lot especially in infrastructure.”
He said through the communications ministry and the National Information and Communication Technology Authority, “we will now talk about number porting, tower sharing and all those opportunities that we never thought of because of the third player”.
Vodafone regional chief executive officer Pradeep Lal said “we will be investing K3 billion in PNG creating many opportunities for Papua New Guineans in as far as growth, prosperity, job creation and affordable accessibility are concerned”. “It is also important to ensure that there is healthy competition, so customers can benefit,” Lal said.