In the quiet classrooms of Rotuma, the world just came online. Thanks to Vodafone Fiji, three schools in Rotuma now have internet access through Starlink connections, rolled out in line with the Fiji Government’s commitment to bridging the digital gap.
With fewer than 100 students in each school, this connection means more than just fast Wi-Fi for Motusa District School, Christ the King, and Paptea District School -it means access to learning resources, assignments, and opportunities that were once out of reach.
Vodafone Fiji ICT sales executive Ian Kumar said the team saw the Rotuma Youth Festival as the perfect opportunity to launch this initiative, bringing the internet not only to schools but also to local communities.
“I think we’ve all learnt from what happened a few years ago during COVID where a lot of students were not able to access their learning resources and things online so I think it’s a good initiative as well to help a lot of communities,” Mr Kumar stated.
“I think we are in line with the Fiji Government’s commitment in terms of helping different communities as well. So, one at a time, we are trying to help promote internet services, internet connectivity especially in places that do not have connectivity. But one of our main aims is to also look at it from the education perspective so we are trying to have communities and schools have internet access just so they are able to do their things like homework, submit assignments and things like that.”
Grandmother of three Darlene Lily of Hapmak, Rotuma said with modern technology, children now relied on WI-FI connections such as Starlink to complete their schoolwork, which she considered very beneficial.
“Technology keeps us up to date so in order for children to get some of their schoolwork done, they need to go through Wi-Fi, the Starlink, which is a good thing. It will be good for the children including my grandchildren’s education and whatever they want to get on the internet, it will be much faster,” Ms Lily said.
Meanwhile, speaking in Parliament recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-Operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications Hon. Manoa Kamikamica stated that every Fijian- regardless of geography or circumstance-deserved meaningful and secure access to connectivity and the vast opportunities that it offers.
And the installation of Starlink by Vodafone Fiji in Rotuma falls in line with the Fiji Government’s ongoing commitment to bridge the digital gap by ensuring that even remote communities like Rotuma have access to reliable connectivity.