Papua New Guinea’s fixed line incumbent Telikom PNG has signed a deal for the deployment of a National Broadband Network (NBN) with Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies. Under the project the telco expects to see the construction of a network capable of delivering broadband via ADSL2+ technology to more than 80,000 premises across the country. Further, an additional 8,000 locations are set to be connected via Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology at speeds of up to 100Mbps. According to Telikom, the NBN project will also see the creation of a new high-speed broadband backbone, with the long-haul microwave transmission network set to offer open access to both fixed line and mobile broadband operators. This backbone network, it claims, will ‘allow for faster and more reliable fixed and mobile broadband across Papua New Guinea, and will have the capacity to serve [the country’s] future broadband needs as more people connect to the network in coming years’. Looking ahead, the incumbent has said it expects to be able to deliver 4G LTE mobile broadband services using the backbone.
With the project expected to contribute to the country’s ‘Vision 2050’ and ‘Development Strategic Plan 2010-2030’, which require a modern and affordable information and communications technology (ICT) reach to all parts of the country, Telikom PNG chairman Mahesh Patel said the the development signalled a new chapter for the country, with the NBN expected to bring previously inaccessible services to more of the population. With regards to the financing of the project, Mr Patel noted: ‘Through the support of the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), our shareholder, and the government of Papua New Guinea, Telikom PNG has been afforded the opportunity to undertake an investment to implement Telikom’s National Broadband Network through the assistance of Huawei.’