Papua New Guinea’s government has partnered with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for a satellite communication connectivity project, The National reports. According to the local news source, the deal to undertake the project was signed by Communication and Information Minister Jimmy Miringtoro, with Secretary of the Department of Communication and Information (DCI) Paulias Korni presenting it to the ITU’s regional office for Asia and the Pacific programme coordinator Ashish Narayan. Commenting on the development, Korni said the satellite project was an important tool for economic activity and development, noting: ‘This is an important step PNG is taking in terms of ICT … Apart from the government’s policy director aimed at stimulating competition and expansion of infrastructure and services roll out, we (the DCI) are embarking on a rural communication programme in partnership with the private sector to bridge the digital gap.’
Meanwhile, Korni was also said to have announced two other important projects for the country; the first being the Papua New Guinea internet exchange point (PNGIXP), which is expected to launch on 16 September 2015. ‘This particular project came about as a direct response to our call for more affordable internet rates, rates being the highest in the Pacific region’ Korni said of the exchange point plan. In addition, the country is to embark on a universal access and service (UAS) internet connectivity project for schools.