State of Internet Access in Palau: From Coral Reefs to Starlink
Palau, a Pacific archipelago famed for its coral reefs and remote islands, has been rapidly modernizing its internet connectivity in recent years. As a small nation of about 18,000 people, Palau long faced challenges in digital access due to its isolated geography and limited infrastructure. Until 2017, Palau relied entirely on satellite links for internet, resulting in high costs and sparse usage – only about 25% of the population had internet access at that time pacificnote.com. The deployment of undersea fiber-optic cables marked a turning point, bringing high-speed connectivity to the islands. Today roughly two-thirds of Palauans use the internet datareportal.com, and ongoing initiatives aim to extend fast, affordable access across the country. This report examines the current state of Palau’s internet infrastructure, service providers, accessibility, government policies, the emerging role of satellite services like Starlink, challenges, and future plans for improving connectivity in this remote paradise.
