Commerce Commission lowers interconnection rates

08/11/2011

The Fijian Commerce Commission has announced a new, lower telecommunication interconnection rate, one that will make telephone calls between service providers more affordable for Fijians and thus promote broader usage. After a series of meetings with telecommunications industry representatives, leading industry players have agreed on the lower rates for interconnection.

“The new rate will lower costs for individuals and companies, enabling an increase in overall telephony penetration among Fijians,” said Attorney-General and Minister for Industry & Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

“This effort is a part of the Bainimarama Government’s goal of empowering Fijians through technology, helping to build a knowledge-based society.”

As a result of the change, there will be increased funding available to set up more of Fiji’s new free telecentres launched in October <http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4994:govt-launches-first-community-telecentre-projects&catid=71:press-releases&Itemid=155> .

Looking to the future of telecommunications and other development projects, the Bainimarama Government will continue to position Fiji as the hub of technology and commerce in the Pacific region. For example, a number of countries in the Pacific are seeking to link up with the Southern Cross submarine cable, which lands in Fiji. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has its regional project office based in Fiji.

The country offers assistance to other Pacific Island countries that may want to access the improvements and developments that Fiji has achieved, such as its broadband policy—the first-ever for a Pacific Island nation.

For more information on how Fiji is working to improve the lives of Fijians through technology, please see Prime Minister Bainimarama’s key note speeches delivered last month at the ITU World Telecom Summit <http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5069:broadband-leadership-summit-plenary-4b-megabits-a-mdgs-pm-bainimarama&catid=50:speeches&Itemid=168> .