1. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Connectivity Opportunities and challenges for the Pacific Islands countries “ENHANCING PACIFIC CONNECTIVITY” Wednesday 5 November 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm. New York, Conference Room 9

2. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations About PITA Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association formed in 1996 and based in Suva Fiji Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association formed in 1996 and based in Suva Fiji A Non profit organisation dedicated to : improve, promote, enhance, facilitate and provide telecommunications services within the Pacific. A Non profit organisation dedicated to : improve, promote, enhance, facilitate and provide telecommunications services within the Pacific. 107 members (33 operators, 8 regulators & 66 industry suppliers and services providers) 107 members (33 operators, 8 regulators & 66 industry suppliers and services providers) different fields of activities : Workshops, Training, CEO meetings, working groups …etc… different fields of activities : Workshops, Training, CEO meetings, working groups …etc… Heavy efforts in cooperation with partner organisations (ITU, APT, CTO, PIFS, SPC, SOPAC, WB, ICANN, APNIC… ) Heavy efforts in cooperation with partner organisations (ITU, APT, CTO, PIFS, SPC, SOPAC, WB, ICANN, APNIC… )

3. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations

4. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations PITA activities Organise events in the region for its members : Training seminars to enhance expertise and skills within each country Workshops to allow sharing of experiences between us and with all stakeholders (Regional & International organisations, suppliers, solutions providers …)

5. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Regional & International Cooperation Continue to promote development of ICT throughout cooperation : work at transnational level for major projects PITA representation in major meetings from partners organisations inputs from PITA in the ICT Task Force as part of the “Pacific Plan - Digital strategy” implementation plan as endorsed by Pacific Islands government leaders

6. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Challenges to overcome in the Pacific Is.. Vast distances Vast distances Thousands of small islands with very small populations Thousands of small islands with very small populations Bigger islands with unfriendly topography Bigger islands with unfriendly topography High Costs to deploy, manage & maintain networks High Costs to deploy, manage & maintain networks High operational & access costs High operational & access costs Lack of local resources Lack of local resources Lack of economies of scales Lack of economies of scales

7. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations The situation : More than 2/3 of the population of the Pacific Islands countries is living in rural areas We are adressing in most cases developing countries or LDC’s A real need to develop infrastructure for rural access to information & communications A very unique context

8. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Technology options : Submarine Cable solutions are proposed along with existing satellite infrastructure - consider both options to serve main cities but also rural areas : Satellite is suitable for both national and international needs (few projects already planned) Submarine Cable is relevant for the most populated countries with majority of households in capital and for international / regional connectivity Which way to connect the unconnected ?

9. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Satellite coverage of the Pacific Develop “consolidated” capacity deals with satellite providers Deploy modern ground infrastructure Raise level of Skills & expertise in each country Point to point or point to multipoint applications The way forward : rely on current possibilities

10. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Submarine cable connectivity for the Pacific Few projects being promoted over the last Decade (Oxygen, Cable & Wireless and more recently SPIN) a way to address high bandwidth needs for some countries Major investment at start to connect “most populated centers” and long term viability challenge Point to point applications only The way forward : new options

11. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Terrestrial communications All other terrestrial transmission technologies need to be used when appropriate (wireless particularly – radio microwave, Wifi, Wi Max …) Options which can provide the best business case for last mile connectivity In combination with satellite, ideal concept to reach the small rural communities (Example of the RICS concept satellite VSAT network) The way forward : new options

12. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations Projects : At national but also at trans-national level Involving close cooperation between governments, operators and solutions providers from the industry All technologic options to be considered and analysed with a business case The way forward : a need for structured projects

13. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations The key conditions for success : For all projects focusing on “enhancing Pacific Connectivity” A real need for coordination between different funding organisations / donors and intergovernmental organisations (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, ITU, APT) Establish in each country a regulatory environment that would enable fair competition practices Intensify capacity building for regulators The way forward : the key conditions

14. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations PITA’s involvement for the next steps Relying on its members network, PITA will facilitate practical implementation of “Enhancing Pacific Connectivity what connectivity solution will be suitable ? what connectivity solution will be suitable ? At what cost ? At what cost ? For what services ? For what services ? For how many people ? For how many people ? How to make it work on long term ? How to make it work on long term ?

15. New York – 5th November 2008 United Nations www.pita.org.fj Malo, Vinaka, fa’afetai, Maoro, mauruuru, meitaki, Kalangen, Kam rabwa, mesulang, merci, Thank you