The launch of the Vodafone 3G network in the Northern Division is about connectivity and empowerment.
Officially launching the 3G network, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said Government wanted empowerment and connectivity for all Fijians.
Alluding to the Attorney General, Commodore Bainimarama said that Government's various incentives have not only created a liberalised and competitive telecommunications market but it had also made the availability of new equipment accessible to all.
"I will later this year launch the country's first National Broadband Policy,” the Prime Minister said.
"It is therefore fitting that capacities are created, an example of which is Vodafone's 3G network expansion to Vanua Levu prior to the launch of the Broadband Policy to provide that trajectory."
Prime Minister Bainimarama also said that in order to make Fiji a knowledge based country and to improve human resources and its quality, it was imperative that telecommunications companies played a leading role by increasing their network coverage throughout Fiji and at the same time facilitated the uptake of technology.
"After all, if all of Fiji was networked, and had modern technology available to all Fijians, then the discovery of new talents, a better educated society, increase in GDP, increase in employment will be inevitable,” Commodore Bainimarama said.
Conveying the Attorney General's apologies and welcoming the Prime Minister at the launch this evening was the Ministry of Trade and Communications permanent secretary Elizabeth Powell.
Ms Powell said that Fiji for the first time had a most technology savy Prime Minister whose personal passion for technology and belief in the goal that all Fijians must have access to ICT had led the country to where it was today.
Aslam Khan and the Vodafone team were also congratulated for partnering with Government in helping realise and unleash the potential of the Northern Division.
PS Communications, Elizabeth Powell welcomes PM
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