Kacific partners with Vodafone PNG for mobile satellite deployment

Kacific has partnered with Vodafone PNG to deploy the satellite operator's Mobile Backhaul services in the remote region.

The partnership will look to expand Vodafone PNG's voice and 3G/4G data network into rural areas of Papua New Guinea, with the aim of supporting digital transformation across government, schools, businesses and communities.

Kacific currently provides services across the Asia Pacific region, including in New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, PNG and other Pacific Islands. The new development will utilise the company's resources to provide better mobile connectivity and services to the rural region.

Vodafone PNG is based in Papua New Guinea and is part of the Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) Group of companies from Fiji, which was successfully launched in April 2022.

As the company expands its customer base, they are continuing to find new ways to meet demand and provide better services across the board.

Papua New Guinea is reported to have 9 million inhabitants who use over 3.3 million mobile connections, leading to a mobile penetration of 36%2. 3G coverage currently reaches around 73% of the population. Due to the spread out population, geography and climate, the conditions for mobile coverage are often challenging.

Kacific says that its satellite services are well-placed to meet the challenge of the varied geography and dispersed population.

Vodafone PNG says it has committed to wholesale bandwidth delivered by Kacific's high-speed Ka-band satellite, Kacific1. The cost-effective Mobile Backhaul bandwidth will primarily be used for voice and data, and will serve both residential and enterprise end-users.

"Kacific and Vodafone PNG see huge potential for growth in Papua New Guinea, as well as a genuine thirst from the country's citizens for affordable and reliable mobile and data services. Together we aim to disrupt the market in a way that brings more choice and better connectivity to everyday people," says Kacific CCO Brandon Seir.

"There is real potential for satellite-based communication services to help Papua New Guinea increase access to communications services from 10% (in 2009) to 100%of the population – a goal of the nation's strategic development plan."

Vodafone PNG MD Nirmal Singh agrees and says that the new partnership will provide better solutions for all involved.

"Kacific satellite services vastly reduce the cost and complexity of remote terminal installation, allowing Vodafone to rapidly deploy our network across the nation, including to the underserved rural areas. Together we are providing greater access on a large scale, helping increase Papua New Guinea's basic infrastructure in order to grow and prosper."