Transforming PNG into a digital economy

As Papua New Guinea (PNG) completes its 4G infrastructure by the end of this year, the Government is going all out to propel the country’s transformation into a digital economy. The National’s senior writer MALUM NALU was at the PNG Digital Forum 2019 to report the details.

THE World Bank estimates that by 2040, PNG could boost its economy by US$5 billion (K16.9 billion) and create 300,000 jobs.
However, realistically, that can only be possible with a drastic reduction in retail data cost in PNG.
Internet access must be made more affordable to the majority of Papua New Guineans so that the country’s internet penetration rises significantly to create a huge cyber marketplace for both consumers and businesses.
And Papua New Guineans are keeping their fingers crossed that internet access will become really affordable when the Coral Sea cable is completed by the end of this year.
The first stage of the Kumul domestic cable – a fibre optic link from Port Moresby to Madang, via Alotau, Popondetta and Lae – was completed on Feb 19.
The 4G project, developed by PNG DataCo and Chinese firm Huawei, has resulted in a boost in transmission speeds compared to previous traffic in tests conducted thus far.
The new cable is to connect with two other fibre-optic networks, one linking Jayapura in Indonesia to Arawa via seven coastal cities, and the other linking Daru to Kerema.
All three stages of the project are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, according to news reports attributing to PNG DataCo. PNG Government’s ambition to transform the country into a digital economy was initiated in 2016 when Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co won the tender to build a network in the South Pacific nation.
Huawei won the tender amid espionage allegations by the US. Later, the US mobilised its allies, Australia and Japan, to mount an 11th-hour counter offer.
But, the PNG Government dismissed the allegations and concerns.
At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Port Moresby last November, then Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister William Duma said PNG would uphold its agreement with Huawei.
“We have an existing agreement. It’s about honour and integrity, once you enter into a deal and an arrangement you go with it.,” Duma told Reuters on the telephone from Port Moresby.
Then, Huawei had already completed about 60% of the work to build a 5,457km network of submarine cables linking 14 coastal towns in the resource-rich PNG of some eight million people.
Last November, Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pte Ltd launched its ICT Talent Programme to contribute to PNG’s digital development.
On May 16, at the PNG Digital Economy Forum 2019, Huawei inked an agreement with PNG University of Technology (Unitech) to promote open innovation academic programme and training.
The forum was initiated by the PNG Government and organised by the National Information & Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) in association with Huawei.
In his opening address at the forum, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said for PNG to benefit from the ICT (global) revolution, smart phone use and internet penetration must be high, covering all rural areas.
“(If possible) everyone must be digitally connected in urban and rural areas. The Government is taking the lead with the Australian Government agreeing to lay the 20-terabyte cable from Sydney to Port Moresby.
“That will be ready before the end of the year. The domestic submarine cable is nearing completion to provide the international gateway to Asia via Jayapura.
“And, the terrestrial fibre-optic network will connect the provinces, from Madang to Mt Hagen and to Hides. The power project will provide 70% coverage nationwide,” he added.

Punaha … broadband and connectivity issues to be resolved upon completion of Coral Sea Cable
National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) chief executive officer Charles Punaha said broadband and connectivity issues would be addressed upon the completion of the Coral Sea Cable (CSC).
“We now want to encourage the Government to invest in the sector and look into the universal access service (UAS) issues.

The opportunity and challenges of building a better connected digital economy in PNG

Avira … conducive policies already in place for digital businesses
Information and Communications Technology Secretary John Avira said conducive policies were already in place on how business needs to be conducted in the ICT economy.
“PNG’s ICT roadmap has already been approved. In my view, we need to connect the rural population to cities like Port Moresby, Lae and the main centres.
“It’s a challenge going into the unprofitable rural markets and maintaining services,” he said, adding that the rural populace need to be educated on the need to be digitally connected.
“Also, we really can’t connect them if the infrastructure is not in place.
Land is one of the key issues that our policies need to address with the landowners,” he added.
He said land was being cultivated everywhere and the digital threat had caused telecommunication infrastructure to be vandalised, affecting those connected.

Digital transformation journey to build digital economy in PNG

Narayan … PNG expected to leapfrog into the digital economy
International Telecommunications Union programme coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Anish Narayan said digital transformation was needed to fast track PNG’s economy.
He said ICT was already a global phenomenon driven by smart mobility access.
“The global digital traffic is growing rapidly, with about 70% mobile broadband penetration.
“With the advent of optical fibre in PNG, digital connections and speed are going exponential,” Narayan said, adding that PNG was expected to leapfrog into the digital economy.

NTN – Revolutionising ICT connectivity in PNG and to the world

Komboi … hopes CSC really slashes cost of internet access
DataCo Ltd managing-director Paul Komboi said the CSC from Australia was expected to be completed by December linking and networking Port Moresby, Sydney and Honiara in Solomon Islands.
“Work has already started at the stages and locations and the cable is expected to arrive here early next month. The key issue for PNG now is to really agree with its partners on how to manage the cable. We want keep costs as low as possible.
“We really want to see the CSC slashing the retail cost of internet connections.
“We are hoping, if we are lucky, to have the cable operational before Christmas, if not January next year,” Komboi said.
He said the cost reduction would benefit enterprises, businesses and consumers who access the digital data.
“We are already partnering with various Government institutions like Health and Education, as part of our community responsibility to the country,” he added.