Fiji’s Internet Revolution: Expanding Broadband and Satellite Connectivity in the Pacific

Fiji, an archipelago of over 330 islands in the South Pacific, has rapidly transformed its Internet landscape in recent years. Once hampered by limited connectivity, Fiji is now emerging as a regional digital leader with ambitious expansions in broadband infrastructure and new satellite services. Approximately 79–85% of Fiji’s population are now Internet users – a dramatic rise from just 48% in 2018 blog.apnic.net. This growth has been driven largely by mobile broadband, reflecting Fiji’s dispersed geography and limited fixed-line reach blog.apnic.net. High-level government initiatives, such as the National Digital Strategy launched in 2025, underscore Fiji’s commitment to improving digital infrastructure, inclusion, and e-government services blog.apnic.net. In this report, we examine Fiji’s Internet infrastructure – from undersea fiber-optic cables to mobile networks – and compare mobile versus fixed broadband adoption. We also explore the advent of satellite Internet (including Starlink and regional systems), key service providers and pricing, urban-rural connectivity gaps, government policies, ongoing improvements, and how Fiji stacks up against other Pacific Island nations like Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu. Major developments since 2020, such as new submarine cables and the arrival of low Earth orbit satellites, have positioned Fiji at the forefront of a Pacific Internet revolution.

Internet Infrastructure in Fiji

Fiber Optic Backbone and Submarine Cables

Fiji’s strategic location and investments have made it a regional telecommunications hub. Multiple submarine fiber-optic cables land in Fiji, linking it both to global Internet routes and to neighboring Pacific states. As of 2024, Fiji hosts six international submarine cables with landing stations in Suva or Savusavu datacenterdynamics.com. These include high-capacity links to major markets via the Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN) and the new Southern Cross NEXT cable, which connect Fiji, Australia/New Zealand, and the United States datacenterdynamics.com blog.apnic.net. Fiji is also the nexus for regional cables: the Tonga Cable (running ~827 km from Tonga to Suva since 2013) capacitymedia.com, the Tui-Samoa cable (deployed 2018, connecting Fiji to Samoa and Wallis & Futuna) datacenterdynamics.com, the Interchange Cable Network (ICN1) linking Fiji to Vanuatu (since 2014) datacenterdynamics.com, and the Gondwana-2/Picot-2 cable connecting Fiji with New Caledonia (launched 2022) datacenterdynamics.com. Figure 1 illustrates Fiji’s central role in Pacific undersea cable networks, with fiber routes radiating to nearby island countries and onward to Australia and North America datacenterdynamics.com blog.apnic.net. These cables provide the bulk of Fiji’s international bandwidth and redundancy; indeed, Fiji’s upstream diversity is rated “Very Good” (more than two distinct global routes) pulse.internetsociety.org, giving it resilience against single points of failure that plague some neighbors.

Crucially, Fiji is continuing to invest in new fiber infrastructure. In partnership with Google’s “Pacific Connect” initiative, Fiji in 2025 landed the Tabua cable, a Trans-Pacific system that will directly connect Los Angeles to Fiji and onwards to Australia datacenterdynamics.com datacenterdynamics.com. The Tabua cable (named after a Fijian sacred whale’s tooth) is designed with 16 fiber pairs at 17 Tbps each and is scheduled to be operational by Q1 2026 datacenterdynamics.com. Along with a companion cable code-named Bulikula, this project includes construction of a second Fiji landing station and a Tier-3 data center, aiming to further enhance Fiji’s global connectivity and digital resilience blog.apnic.net. Government sources estimate these new cables will contribute roughly USD $250 million to Fiji’s GDP by 2030 and create thousands of jobs in tech and related sectors blog.apnic.net. Domestically, fiber-optic backbones on the main islands (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) interconnect major cities like Suva, Nadi, and Lautoka, ensuring high-speed terrestrial links between cable landing points and population centers. The combination of multiple international cables and local fiber backbones means urban Fiji enjoys generally reliable high-bandwidth connections, with average fixed broadband download speeds around 16 Mbps as of 2023 pulse.internetsociety.org. This robust infrastructure base distinguishes Fiji from many smaller Pacific states that often rely on a single undersea cable or even solely on satellites.

Mobile Networks and Coverage

Fiji’s mobile network infrastructure is well-developed and has been the primary driver of Internet access growth. The country has achieved nationwide 3G/4G coverage across most inhabited areas. Over 96% of Fijians have access to at least a 4G mobile signal pulse.internetsociety.org, an impressive reach that rivals advanced economies. Older 2G networks are effectively obsolete (near 0% coverage reported) digitaldevelopment.org digitaldevelopment.org, as Fiji’s telecom operators leapfrogged to modern mobile broadband. As a result, the vast majority of Fiji’s ~924,000 people can use mobile data services for Internet connectivity. Mobile broadband speeds are on par with, if not better than, fixed-line speeds – the average mobile download speed was ~21 Mbps in 2023 pulse.internetsociety.org. This reflects significant investments in 4G LTE technology by operators and the high adoption of smartphones (over 90% of mobile connections in Fiji are via smartphones) gsma.com. The dependence on mobile infrastructure is partly due to Fiji’s geography: with many islands and rugged terrain, deploying extensive fixed-line networks is challenging. Instead, cellular towers (often connected via microwave or fiber backhaul) have been the most cost-effective way to reach dispersed communities.

5G in Fiji is still in early stages. As of 2023, less than 1% of the population had access to any 5G signal pulse.internetsociety.org, and commercial 5G service remained largely unavailable. Fiji had anticipated rolling out 5G earlier, but progress was delayed by various factors (including regulatory processes and global supply issues). However, plans are underway to launch 5G in the coming years. Industry forecasts by the GSMA project that by 2030, 5G will account for roughly 23% of mobile connections in Fiji gsma.com – indicating a significant expansion once 5G networks are deployed. In the meantime, Fiji’s 4G and advanced 3G networks are handling growing data demand. Notably, operators are also upgrading their backhaul and core networks in preparation for 5G; for example, in June 2022 Digicel Fiji trialed Alphabet’s Project Taara wireless optical link technology, achieving up to 20 Gbps laser links to connect cell sites where laying fiber is impractical gsma.com gsma.com. These innovative backhaul solutions improve capacity and resilience in the mobile network, ensuring Fijians continue to see improving speeds and coverage even before 5G arrives.

Internet Exchange and Local Infrastructure

To reduce latency and costs, Fiji established its first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in 2017 (the Fiji-IX). Initially launched with four ISPs, Fiji-IX now has seven members, including major providers Vodafone, Digicel, and Telecom Fiji blog.apnic.net. This facility allows domestic Internet traffic to be routed locally without tromboning through overseas servers, speeding up access to local websites and services. Approximately 41% of the top 1000 most-visited websites in Fiji are accessible via in-country caching or servers pulse.internetsociety.org pulse.internetsociety.org – still below the Oceania average of ~59%, but a marked improvement from virtually zero local content hosting a decade ago. The presence of an IXP and caches (such as Google Global Cache or Akamai servers) in Fiji helps improve user experience and reduce international bandwidth strain. Continued investments in local data centers – including the planned new Tier-3 data center accompanying the Tabua cable project blog.apnic.net – are expected to increase local cloud services and content hosting. This will further enhance Fiji’s Internet performance and resilience by keeping more traffic within local or regional routes. Overall, Fiji’s core infrastructure – a mesh of submarine cables, a modern mobile radio network, and growing local exchange/caching – provides a strong foundation for nationwide Internet access.

Mobile Broadband vs. Fixed Broadband in Fiji

Internet access in Fiji is overwhelmingly driven by mobile broadband rather than fixed-line services. The statistics illustrate this stark contrast: Fiji had around 107 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people in recent years (indicating many citizens have multiple SIMs/devices) tradingeconomics.com, and over 116 mobile broadband connections per 100 inhabitants digitaldevelopment.org. In contrast, fixed broadband penetration is very low – only about 2.5 subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022 tradingeconomics.com. In absolute terms, while there are well over 1 million mobile network connections, the number of fixed broadband lines is on the order of just a few tens of thousands. The limited reach of fixed-line Internet is due to historical underinvestment in copper cable networks and the high cost of extending DSL or fiber to scattered communities. Many homes outside city centers simply have no access to a fixed Internet line. Telecom Fiji (the main fixed ISP) has deployed fiber-to-the-premises and ADSL in parts of major towns, but the coverage remains modest compared to mobile networks. By 2023, only an estimated 8% of Fijian households had a fixed Internet subscription, whereas over 85% of the entire population had used the Internet via some means (mostly mobile) in the past 3 months blog.apnic.net.

This mobile-first usage pattern is common across developing island nations, but Fiji’s numbers are especially telling. Mobile Internet users were about 66 per 100 people digitaldevelopment.org, indicating roughly two-thirds of Fijians regularly access data on phones or mobile modems. Many find mobile broadband (via 3G/4G) more accessible and flexible than fixed broadband, which might require a wired installation and monthly contracts. Additionally, mobile data packs – while not cheap – can be purchased on a prepaid basis, fitting the needs of consumers with irregular incomes. Fiji’s operators have leveraged this demand by offering 4G home wireless broadband packages and generous smartphone data deals, capturing users who might otherwise wait years for a fixed connection.

Fixed broadband, on the other hand, is mostly used by businesses, government offices, and some urban households. It includes ADSL and an increasing number of fiber-optic (FTTH) connections in high-density areas. Those who do have fixed broadband enjoy more stable high-volume data access (often with higher caps or unlimited plans), which is beneficial for enterprises, media upload/download, and robust home usage. However, the small scale of the fixed-line market has kept prices relatively high due to lack of economies of scale and competition. The vast majority of Fijians simply rely on mobile networks for their daily connectivity, from social media and messaging to streaming and online services.

The disparity is also evident in market share and investments. According to the Internet Society, as of 2025 Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji – both primarily mobile operators – accounted for nearly 90% of Internet subscriptions combined (61% and 28% respectively) pulse.internetsociety.org. Telecom Fiji (the fixed broadband provider) held only about 10% market share pulse.internetsociety.org. This underscores that fixed broadband has a limited footprint. Even average speed comparisons show mobile doing well: the typical mobile download speed (~21 Mbps) actually exceeded the fixed broadband average (~16 Mbps) in 2023 pulse.internetsociety.org pulse.internetsociety.org. While fixed lines can technically offer much higher speeds (fiber plans of 50–100 Mbps where available), the best infrastructure is confined to select areas, whereas 4G is universally available with decent performance.

Going forward, Fiji’s challenge is to improve fixed broadband availability while leveraging its successful mobile networks. The government’s digital strategy emphasizes extending fiber connectivity to more schools, health centers, and communities, often by piggybacking on the backbone laid for mobile towers vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. In practice, this may mean deploying fiber or microwave links to rural 4G base stations and then offering a fixed wireless access service to nearby homes. Indeed, in many remote parts of Fiji, a “fixed” Internet connection may simply be a 4G LTE router installed in a household. Such solutions blur the line between mobile and fixed broadband, but are vital for reaching the last mile. Fiji’s experience to date shows that mobile connectivity has been the fastest way to bridge the digital divide, but a holistic approach – integrating fiber backbones, wireless access, and satellite links – will be needed to achieve universal coverage.

Satellite Internet in Fiji

Given Fiji’s topology of far-flung islands and some extremely remote villages, satellite Internet has long played a role in connectivity – and is now taking on even greater importance with new technologies. Until recently, satellite options in Fiji were limited to expensive, low-bandwidth geostationary services used mainly as a last resort by businesses or for backup during outages. However, since 2020 the satellite landscape has changed dramatically for Fiji and the Pacific.

Arrival of Starlink (LEO Satellite Service)

A game-changer has been the introduction of SpaceX’s Starlink low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service in Fiji. In mid-November 2023, Starlink was granted a commercial license by Fijian authorities to operate in the country fijivillage.com. By May 2024, Starlink went live across Fiji’s 300+ islands, marking the company’s 99th market worldwide fijivillage.com fijivillage.com. The Deputy Prime Minister lauded Starlink’s licensing as “a game changer for Fiji”, noting it would strengthen network resilience during natural disasters and help connect “the unconnected population in maritime communities without significant upfront capital costs” fijivillage.com. In practical terms, Starlink’s constellation of low-orbit satellites now provides high-speed Internet (50–150 Mbps or more per user) in areas where previously only very slow or no service existed. Rural village schools, health clinics, outer island resorts, and individual remote households have begun installing Starlink’s small satellite dishes. Telecom Fiji Ltd., the national fixed operator, partnered with Starlink as an authorized reseller in 2024 to bundle satellite broadband with its portfolio fbcnews.com.fj fbcnews.com.fj. According to Telecom Fiji’s CEO, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with “a large number of sign-ups from customers all over the country – from the north, from the west, from the outer islands, and government departments as well” fbcnews.com.fj. This indicates significant pent-up demand for reliable Internet in areas cell towers don’t reach.

By integrating Starlink, Fiji aims to bridge the remaining connectivity gap for its remote and maritime regions. Starlink’s coverage enables Fijians in outer islands to “enjoy internet services similar to those in the urban centers”, eliminating the long-standing digital isolation of those communities fbcnews.com.fj. Although Starlink is a premium service (hardware and monthly fees around FJ $180/month, roughly US $80), efforts are underway to make it more affordable. Telecom Fiji has noted it is collaborating with various agencies to subsidize or support Starlink installations in critical areas like schools fbcnews.com.fj. By late 2024, Starlink reportedly accounted for about 1% of all Internet subscriptions in Fiji pulse.internetsociety.org – a small but rapidly growing share. Fiji was one of the first Pacific nations to approve Starlink, and others are following suit (Starlink launched in Tonga by August 2024, for example) en.wikipedia.org. The presence of low-latency, high-throughput satellite broadband is a paradigm shift: instead of VSAT links of only a few Mbps, remote users can now have broadband comparable to urban fiber. This also provides critical resilience. During cyclones or outages of undersea cables, Starlink can keep communities and response teams connected. In summary, Starlink’s launch in Fiji has injected competition and redundancy into the market, prompting incumbents to improve services while finally connecting the hardest-to-reach parts of Fiji.

Geostationary and Regional Satellite Solutions

Even before Starlink, Fiji leveraged traditional geostationary satellites to extend connectivity. One notable provider is Kacific, a regional satellite operator that launched the Kacific-1 high-throughput satellite in 2019 to cover the Pacific. Vodafone Fiji partnered with Kacific to deliver an affordable satellite broadband solution for remote areas starting around 2020–2021 vodafone.com.fj. This solution was designed as a turnkey service to connect remote businesses, schools, and villages that lay beyond the reach of Vodafone’s cellular network. It uses small VSAT terminals (around 1.2m dishes) and can support common Internet applications – web browsing, social media, video streaming – with speeds of 10–50 Mbps vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. Vodafone branded its maritime version of this service as “WaqaSAT” to provide ships and vessels with connectivity in Fijian waters, also powered by Kacific’s satellite vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. For example, maritime operators can get over 50 Mbps onboard ships via WaqaSAT, which is a boon for inter-island transport and tourism operations that require Internet at sea vodafone.com.fj. On land, the Kacific-Vodafone partnership demonstrated success by connecting remote highland communities (e.g. in Namosi province) and industrial sites. Fiji Pine Limited, which has logging camps deep in the interior of the main islands, struggled for years with no communications – until a Vodafone/Kacific VSAT was installed, allowing staff to send reports daily rather than drive to find mobile signal vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. The affordability of this new generation satellite service was highlighted: legacy satellite options had “huge upfront costs and high ongoing costs” that were prohibitive, but Kacific’s solution “broke this barrier” with a small, cost-effective setup vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. Thus, geostationary satellite broadband via Kacific has been instrumental in Fiji’s universal service efforts over the last few years, connecting dozens of communities that remain off-grid from terrestrial telecom links.

In addition to Kacific, Fiji (and its neighbors) have used other satellite systems. The O3b MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) network by SES was historically employed by some Pacific telcos for backhaul; while Fiji’s multiple fiber cables reduced reliance on O3b at a national level, nearby islands like Samoa or Cook Islands used O3b before they got fiber cables capacitymedia.com. Fiji’s Digicel network likely maintains satellite backups (Digicel Pacific’s satellite links were vital in keeping Tonga connected after its cable break in 2022) capacitymedia.com capacitymedia.com. There are also legacy Inmarsat/BGAN and regional satellite telecom services used by the Fiji government for disaster recovery (e.g. satellite phones distributed by Vodafone after Cyclone Yasa in 2020 gsma.com). Looking ahead, more LEO constellations beyond Starlink could come into play – for instance, OneWeb (another LEO provider) has global coverage as of 2023 and may seek landing rights in the Pacific. For now, Starlink and Kacific represent the cutting-edge in Fiji’s satellite Internet arsenal: Starlink providing high-bandwidth, low-latency links widely accessible to consumers, and Kacific offering slightly lower-speed but more established VSAT services through local telecom partners. Together, they significantly improve Fiji’s overall connectivity mix. Remote outer islands that once had to rely on patchy HF radio or 2G connections can now choose between a telco-provided VSAT or a self-installed Starlink kit, both of which deliver true broadband. This is helping Fiji inch closer to bridging the urban-rural digital divide.

Key Internet Service Providers and Pricing in Fiji

Fiji’s telecom market, while relatively small, is served by several key Internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile network operators. However, the market is highly concentrated, and the range of consumer choice has historically been limited – the Internet Society in 2023 rated Fiji’s ISP choice as “very poor” in terms of diversity pulse.internetsociety.org. The major players are:

• Vodafone Fiji – The largest operator (about 61% market share of Internet subscriptions) pulse.internetsociety.org. Vodafone began as a mobile provider and still leads the mobile market. It offers 2G/3G/4G services nationwide and has been expanding into fixed-wireless and fiber broadband in urban areas. Vodafone Fiji is partly government-owned (through the Fiji National Provident Fund) and has been a pioneer in rolling out new services (it was first with 4G LTE, and even trialed 5G in a limited capacity). For consumers, Vodafone provides prepaid and postpaid mobile data plans, home wireless broadband (using 4G routers), and some fiber-to-the-home in select locales. Pricing for Vodafone’s mobile data varies – e.g., prepaid combo plans might offer 7 GB for around FJ $70 (~US $32) along with voice/text credits monito.com. They also run M-PAiSA mobile money and other digital apps to add value.
• Digicel Fiji – The second largest operator (~28% share) pulse.internetsociety.org. Digicel is a pan-Pacific mobile operator (originating from the Caribbean-based Digicel Group) that entered Fiji in 2008, breaking Vodafone’s monopoly. In 2022, Australia’s Telstra acquired Digicel’s Pacific operations capacitymedia.com, meaning Digicel Fiji is now under Telstra’s ownership. Digicel offers nationwide 3G/4G mobile service similar to Vodafone, and competes aggressively on price and promotions. It also provides some broadband services via 4G and a small fixed wireless network. Digicel’s presence helped drive competition; for instance, both Vodafone and Digicel frequently increase data allowances or drop prices to attract prepaid users. As of 2023, a basic 1 GB mobile data pack costs roughly FJ $5–$10 (US $2–$4), though larger bundles are more economical. According to ITU data, a “low-usage” mobile broadband basket (including voice) cost about 3.3% of GNI per capita in Fiji datahub.itu.int – which is higher than the UN affordability target of 2%, but still an improvement over previous years. Digicel leverages innovative tech in Fiji too; for example, it was Digicel that implemented the Project Taara laser backhaul in 2022 to improve network capacity gsma.com. Under Telstra’s stewardship, Digicel Fiji is expected to continue network investments (possibly in 5G and expanded rural coverage) and maintain competition with Vodafone.
• Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) – The incumbent fixed-line operator (about 10% market share of Internet subscriptions) pulse.internetsociety.org. TFL provides fixed telephone service, ADSL and fiber broadband, and some WiMAX/wireless broadband. It inherited what was historically the Posts and Telecommunications Department network. TFL’s footprint includes the PSTN (landlines), DSL broadband in many towns, and recently GPON fiber in new developments. Its subscriber base is smaller but includes most corporate and government customers. TFL has been modernizing, for instance rolling out fiber in central Suva and offering up to 100 Mbps plans. It has also partnered with Starlink as a reseller to augment connectivity options fbcnews.com.fj. In terms of pricing, fixed broadband in Fiji can be pricey for higher speeds – a 20 Mbps unlimited fiber plan can cost on the order of FJ $160+ per month (US $70+). However, the ITU noted that Fiji’s entry-level fixed broadband (5 GB monthly at 256 Kbps or higher) cost about 1.55% of GNI per capita datahub.itu.int, which is relatively affordable by global standards (below the 2% benchmark). This suggests that basic fixed plans (often with limited data) are priced accessibly, while higher-tier plans are more costly. TFL also runs the Fiji International Internet Gateway (FINTEL is a subsidiary handling Fiji’s connections to submarine cables historically) and the Fiji Internet Exchange Point in collaboration with the regulator.
• SpaceX Starlink – As of 2024, Starlink Fiji is effectively a new ISP in the market, already accounting for ~1% of subscriptions in its first year pulse.internetsociety.org. Starlink sells service directly online (hardware around FJ $1,100 and monthly around FJ $180) and through partners like TFL. Its pricing is considered expensive for the average household, but the value lies in areas where it’s the only viable broadband. The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) welcomed Starlink’s entry, expecting it to “implement a competitive, fair, and dynamic market for internet services in Fiji” fijivillage.com. Early indications suggest Starlink may push other ISPs to improve rural offerings and possibly lower certain prices to retain customers now that an independent option exists.

Beyond these, a few minor ISPs operate, often serving niche markets. For example, Kacific sells capacity (usually via partners) for satellite broadband; Fiji National University and other educational networks run their own AS networks (FNU even shows up with <1% share in the ISP market stats) pulse.internetsociety.org. There are also some ISP services on outer islands run by local enterprises or cooperatives, often using satellite or long-distance Wi-Fi links – typically these are community-based and small scale.

Pricing models and service tiers in Fiji vary by provider:

• Mobile Broadband: Prepaid data packs are extremely popular. Users can buy daily, weekly, or monthly bundles (e.g. 1GB/day, or 20GB/month) and the operators often zero-rate certain apps (like e-government sites or specific social media) to add value. Postpaid mobile plans exist too, bundling voice/SMS/data for higher-end users. Both Vodafone and Digicel offer “unlimited” night data on some plans to encourage off-peak usage. Despite these offers, affordability remains a concern – the average Fijian spends about 6.3% of gross national income per capita to afford a basic mobile data/voice package pulse.internetsociety.org, indicating Internet access can consume a sizeable portion of household budget, especially for the lower-income segment. Operators and the government are exploring ways to cut costs, such as infrastructure sharing in rural areas and promoting cheaper smartphones, to improve affordability.
• Fixed Broadband: TFL’s fixed plans usually have tiered speeds and data caps. A basic home DSL plan might offer 60 GB at 10 Mbps, whereas premium fiber plans offer unlimited data at 30–50 Mbps. Prices escalate with speed and cap. There are also wireless home broadband services from the mobile operators using 4G LTE routers – these often come with high data allowances (e.g., 100 GB or more) and are targeted at households that can’t get a wired connection. The competition between wired and wireless home broadband is increasing, which may gradually reduce prices or increase caps. Still, by regional comparisons, Fiji’s broadband pricing is on the higher side; for example, in 2022 Fiji was classified in the “less affordable” tier for fixed broadband in the Asia-Pacific, meaning it was above the very low-cost countries (though not the worst) unece.org. The government, through the Universal Service Fund and other initiatives, has occasionally subsidized connectivity for community telecenters and rural schools to ensure social equity.

In summary, Fiji’s ISP scene is dominated by two mobile companies (Vodafone and Digicel) and one fixed-line operator (TFL), with a new satellite entrant (Starlink) adding a competitive twist. Consumers in urban areas benefit from this setup through gradually improving services and modest price competition, but those in rural or outer islands often had no choice until now. The arrival of satellite broadband and ongoing regulatory oversight by bodies like FCCC are aimed at spurring more competition. The government has signaled it will monitor pricing to prevent exploitation of consumers in monopoly pockets (for instance, it keeps an eye on monopoly cable wholesale rates via FINTEL). As infrastructure expands and more players (even niche ones like Kacific or community networks) come in, Fiji hopes to see Internet access become not just widespread but also affordable for all its citizens.

Urban vs. Rural Connectivity and Outer Islands

Fiji faces a classic urban-rural connectivity gap, though efforts since 2020 have started to narrow it. About 87% of the population lives on the two largest islands (Viti Levu, home of the capital Suva, and Vanua Levu) blog.apnic.net. These islands contain all the major towns and have benefited from strong network coverage. Urban and peri-urban areas enjoy near-ubiquitous 4G mobile coverage and options for fixed broadband. For instance, in cities like Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, and Labasa, residents can access high-speed fiber or ADSL, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and dense mobile network capacity. By contrast, the more remote islands and deep rural villages have historically lagged far behind.

Urban centers: In places such as greater Suva, Internet connectivity is comparable to developed countries in many respects. Businesses have fiber lines with 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps connections available. Homes in new subdivisions can subscribe to fiber-to-the-home or cable broadband (where TFL or the electrical utility has laid fiber). 4G signal strength is strong, and multiple cell towers ensure redundancy. Urban users also benefit from local caches (for faster access to services like Google, Facebook) due to the IXP in Suva pulse.internetsociety.org. Consequently, latency to popular content is low and streaming HD video or video conferencing is viable. The urban populace also tends to be more tech-literate; smartphone penetration is virtually 100% among city dwellers, and there’s heavy use of online services (e.g., e-banking, ride-hailing apps, etc.). The Fijian government has leveraged this by rolling out digital public services (through the DigitalFIJI app and platform) to urban citizens first gsma.com. Urban Fiji’s challenge is less about access and more about keeping up with rising demand – as more people stream video and use cloud services, the pressure is on ISPs to increase backhaul capacity and possibly roll out 5G small cells in dense areas. Fortunately, the multiple international cables and upcoming new links mean that Suva’s international bandwidth is robust, reducing congestion for urban users.

Rural areas and outer islands: These include the maritime islands beyond the big two, as well as interior mountain and highland communities on the main islands. Traditionally, connectivity here has been sparse. Many outer islands (like those in the Lau Group, Lomaiviti, Yasawas, Rotuma, etc.) had only basic 2G voice service or satellite phones until recently. The Fiji government and operators have been actively working to extend coverage. Through a Universal Service regime, Fiji has funded new cellular towers in underserved areas – for example, towers powered by solar panels have been erected on some small islands, bringing 3G/4G signal for the first time. Still, coverage gaps remain. Even where there is a cell tower, backhaul can be a weak link: some remote cell sites were long connected via slow satellite links or long-distance microwave, meaning mobile data in those areas was either unavailable or extremely slow (e.g., EDGE or 3G speeds only).

As of 2023, about 50 inhabited smaller islands are scattered across Fiji’s waters; ensuring each has Internet access is an ongoing project. Recently, satellite solutions have become pivotal in reaching them. The introduction of Starlink was expressly meant to “connect the unconnected in maritime communities” without costly underwater cables fijivillage.com. Already, communities on islands like Kadavu, Lakeba, and those in the Yasawa chain have started getting Starlink kits via government programs or NGOs, instantly upgrading them from no connectivity to broadband. Likewise, Vodafone’s VSAT outreach (with Kacific) equipped dozens of remote schools and health centers on islands like Ovalau, Koro, and remote parts of Vanua Levu with Internet in the 2020–2022 period vodafone.com.fj vodafone.com.fj. These initiatives mean students in these villages can now access online educational content and villagers can use Internet calling to communicate, where previously only radio or a once-a-week ferry delivered information.

Despite these improvements, challenges persist in rural Fiji. One major issue is reliable electricity – the Rural Electrification Program (solar mini-grids) is still rolling out to some villages trade.gov, and telecom equipment needs power. Without 24/7 electricity, a village may have an Internet terminal that only works when a generator is on. The government and donors (e.g., Australia, UNDP) have been funding solar power in tandem with connectivity projects to address this synergy undp.org aiffp.gov.au. Another challenge is maintenance: island infrastructure faces harsh conditions (salt, cyclones). For example, after Tropical Cyclone Harold (2020) and Cyclone Yasa (2020), many remote towers and satellite units were damaged, temporarily cutting off communications. Fiji’s operators have become adept at disaster response – deploying portable satellite terminals and repair teams by boat or helicopter to restore links gsma.com. However, the goal is to build more resilient networks in rural areas, e.g. using cyclone-hardened towers and having backup systems (like a hybrid of microwave and satellite backhaul) for critical sites.

There is also a usage gap: not everyone in rural Fiji who technically has coverage is online. Some remote communities, especially where subsistence living is common, find Internet devices and data plans too expensive. The government’s digital inclusion programs are trying to tackle this via community telecenters (shared Internet access at schools or post offices) and subsidized connectivity for key public services. The hope is that as connectivity reaches these areas, economic and social benefits will follow – e.g., farmers can check market prices, artisans can sell crafts online, clinics can consult doctors in Suva remotely, and so on. The sentiment is optimistic: “Fijians in the rural and outer islands will soon not feel left out” of the digital age fbcnews.com.fj. By ensuring that even a village on an outer island can watch the same news stream or access e-government portals like those in Suva do, Fiji aims to achieve a more equitable development.

In summary, urban Fiji is well connected via fibers and dense cellular networks, whereas rural Fiji relies on a patchwork of extended 4G coverage and increasingly satellite links. The gap is closing thanks to targeted interventions: new towers, new submarine cable branches (some outer islands are even being connected by spur cables where feasible), and LEO satellites. The continuing rollout of both terrestrial and space-based connectivity, supported by policies to subsidize remote access, suggests that in the coming years the urban-rural digital divide in Fiji will significantly diminish.

Government Policies and Initiatives to Improve Internet Access

The Fijian government has been proactive in using policy levers and strategic projects to expand and improve Internet access. Recognizing that digital connectivity is key to economic and social development, authorities have launched comprehensive plans and facilitated investments to modernize the nation’s ICT infrastructure.

A cornerstone is Fiji’s National Digital Strategy (NDS), unveiled in April 2025 blog.apnic.net. This high-level policy blueprint is built on five pillars: (1) Digital Infrastructure & Cyber Resilience, (2) Digital Inclusion & Empowerment, (3) Innovation-led Economic Growth, (4) Smart Governance & Digital Public Services, and (5) Sustainable Development & Global Partnerships blog.apnic.net. Under the NDS, specific targets include expanding broadband coverage to virtually all populated areas, improving affordability, building local tech talent, and migrating many government services online. The NDS’s infrastructure pillar dovetails with ongoing projects like the new submarine cables and rural connectivity drives, ensuring government backing (and funding) for these efforts. By aligning regulatory frameworks with the NDS goals, Fiji intends to create an enabling environment for telecom operators to invest in new technologies (like 5G, satellite) while safeguarding consumer interests blog.apnic.net blog.apnic.net.

Telecommunications regulation in Fiji is overseen by several bodies. The Ministry of Communications sets policy direction, while the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) and the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) handle licensing, spectrum, and competition issues. The FCCC, for example, played a role in ensuring Starlink’s market entry was fair and that it aligns with a “competitive, fair, and dynamic market” ethos fijivillage.com. Fiji has liberalized its telecom sector since the early 2000s; Vodafone’s exclusivity ended and Digicel was licensed to foster competition. The government continues to encourage new entrants – evidenced by the speedy approval given to Starlink in 2023 and overtures to other satellite or subsea providers. Additionally, the government sometimes intervenes on pricing for essential services. For instance, it monitors wholesale bandwidth prices (important for ISPs’ costs) and has previously subsidized connectivity for education and health sectors.

One significant initiative was the Pacific Regional Connectivity Program (PRCP), a World Bank-partnered effort from the 2010s aimed at improving regional telecom links. Through PRCP, Fiji obtained funding that facilitated some of the submarine cable investments and infrastructure enabling cheaper Internet service documents.worldbank.org. Building on that, Fiji joined Australia and New Zealand in co-funding the upcoming Tonga–Fiji cable extension and other regional projects, reflecting a cooperative approach in the Pacific to ensure no country is left isolated. Fiji’s leadership as a hub has meant its government often coordinates with neighbors on regional connectivity (for example, housing the landing station for others’ cables and ensuring open access).

On the domestic front, the government uses a Universal Service Fund (USF) mechanism (levied on operators) to finance rural telecom projects. This has funded the rollout of telecom towers in areas the commercial operators found uneconomic. In recent years, dozens of remote sites were connected via the USF scheme. The government also distributes free or subsidized devices in some cases – an example is the initiative to provide tablets to rural schools once they get Internet access, ensuring the connectivity translates into actual usage by students.

Another prong of government strategy is improving digital literacy and public services to drive demand for connectivity. The DigitalFIJI platform, developed with international partners, is one such effort: it offers a one-stop mobile app for accessing government directories, submitting service feedback, and even transacting with certain agencies gsma.com. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fiji accelerated e-government and e-learning initiatives (like online learning portals when schools were closed), highlighting the need for robust Internet nationwide. These experiences informed policies to invest more in connectivity for health and education. For example, telehealth trials like the Vuniwai telemedicine app were launched with Vodafone’s support to connect remote patients with doctors in Suva gsma.com, and the government ensured that remote clinics had at least satellite links to use such services.

In terms of cyber infrastructure and security, the government is establishing a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT Fiji) to strengthen cybersecurity as connectivity grows blog.apnic.net. Recognizing that more Internet access also brings cyber risks, Fiji is updating its laws (like an Online Safety Act and Cybercrime Act) and partnering in regional networks (Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network – PaCSON) to build capacity blog.apnic.net blog.apnic.net. While not directly expanding access, these measures build trust in digital services – an important factor in driving adoption.

International partnerships form another key part of Fiji’s approach. The government actively engages with development partners (World Bank, ITU, ADB) for funding and technical assistance on ICT projects. It also collaborates with tech companies – a prime example being the alliance with Google on the Bulikula and Tabua cables to directly link Fiji with the US, Japan, Australia, etc. blog.apnic.net. By hosting such projects, Fiji not only improves its own infrastructure but elevates its status as a Pacific digital hub. There is also a geostrategic dimension: by improving connectivity through Western partners, Fiji (and allies like Australia) aim to counterbalance influence from other players and ensure secure, reliable networks in the region.

Finally, the Fijian government hasn’t neglected affordability and inclusion. In public statements, officials emphasize that connectivity must reach all citizens, not just the wealthy or urban blog.apnic.net. This led to the creation of free Wi-Fi hotspots in some city centers and rural community centers, where people can get limited free Internet access. The FCCC keeps an eye on data pricing; for instance, it has the power to investigate if mobile data or broadband prices are unjustly high. Fiji also hosted regional dialogues on telecom policy through forums like the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA), often pushing for collective solutions to drive down costs (like bulk bandwidth purchases or sharing satellite capacity among countries).

In summary, Fiji’s government has been an active facilitator of better Internet access – from planning and co-investing in big infrastructure (cables, satellites) to grassroots programs for rural connectivity and digital literacy. These efforts are guided by a vision of Fiji as a fully connected society and a regional ICT leader. The progress since 2020, including major policy milestones (Digital Strategy 2025) and tangible infrastructure gains, reflects a strong political will to achieve affordable, high-quality Internet access for all Fijians.

Technological Challenges and Ongoing Improvements

Despite the advancements, Fiji faces several technological challenges in its quest for universal, high-quality Internet access. The country’s geography and economic constraints mean that innovative solutions and continual improvements are required to maintain momentum. Here we outline the key challenges and how Fiji is addressing them:

• Geographical Dispersion and Topography: Fiji’s islands and rough interior terrain make network build-out expensive and logistically difficult. Laying fiber or cables across the ocean to small islands can be cost-prohibitive, and even stringing terrestrial fiber through mountains or dense forests is challenging. To overcome this, Fiji is increasingly relying on a “toolkit” of technologies. Microwave radio links have long been used to reach islands close to the main island (for example, linking smaller islets to a central tower on a nearby big island). More recently, the use of LEO satellites (Starlink) provides a direct solution from the sky, bypassing the need for physical cables altogether. As noted, Starlink is being used to reach maritime pockets that otherwise would wait years for a subsea cable fijivillage.com. For mountainous interior villages, operators have built hilltop towers powered by solar panels and connected via point-to-point wireless links. The Alphabet Taara free-space optical links deployed by Digicel are another novel method to send data across difficult terrain via infrared lasers, as trialed in Fiji’s interior with success (20 Gbps over 20 km in clear weather) gsma.com gsma.com. These innovative approaches are helping Fiji leapfrog traditional obstacles.
• Climate and Natural Disasters: Fiji is prone to cyclones (hurricanes) and occasional seismic activity, which can wreak havoc on infrastructure. Cyclone Winston in 2016 and a series of powerful cyclones in 2020 caused widespread outages by toppling towers and cutting power for weeks in some areas. In January 2022, the volcanic eruption in Tonga (though not in Fiji) served as a cautionary tale – it severed Tonga’s only international cable, and even Fiji’s international cables can be at risk from undersea earthquakes or landslides capacitymedia.com capacitymedia.com. To bolster resilience, Fiji has built redundancy: multiple submarine cables mean if one global route fails, traffic can be rerouted via another pulse.internetsociety.org. Domestically, operators maintain fleets of portable generators and even satellite backup units. For instance, Digicel Pacific had satellite backup ready when Tonga’s cable broke and was able to quickly establish emergency links capacitymedia.com; those same systems could be deployed in Fiji if needed. The government has mandated disaster preparedness in telecom – requiring that critical sites have backup power for at least 72 hours and that networks broadcast early warning messages (Fiji implemented a mobile-based early warning system for cyclones in 2020) gsma.com. Ongoing improvements include hardening infrastructure (new towers are built to higher wind standards) and exploring undersea cable diversity – the new Google-backed cables will add alternate landing points, so Fiji isn’t reliant on just Suva; one segment of the Tabua system will land in Vanua Levu, the second island, providing a backup international egress if Viti Levu is impacted datacenterdynamics.com datacenterdynamics.com.
• Technical Skills and Maintenance: A less obvious challenge is the shortage of specialized ICT skills in Fiji. Maintaining advanced networks (fiber optics, 5G, cybersecurity) requires trained engineers, and Fiji has a limited pool. The APNIC report noted that many local professionals wear multiple hats and there’s an ongoing “brain drain” as skilled engineers sometimes leave for higher-paying jobs abroad blog.apnic.net. This can slow the deployment of new tech and complicate operations. To combat this, Fiji is emphasizing capacity building. Through organizations like APNIC and PacNOG, Fiji hosts trainings and workshops to upskill technicians blog.apnic.net blog.apnic.net. The NDS includes plans for improving ICT education and retaining talent via career development initiatives blog.apnic.net. Additionally, Fiji often relies on international partnerships: e.g., engineers from companies like Huawei, Nokia, or Cisco often assist with initial installations of equipment, concurrently training Fijian staff to manage them thereafter. The creation of a local Internet Exchange (Fiji-IX) was also a learning opportunity – APNIC provided technical support to set it up in 2017 blog.apnic.net, and since then Fijians have taken over its operation as expertise grew. Maintaining a skilled workforce will remain an ongoing challenge, but one that Fiji’s government and academia (through programs at the University of the South Pacific, etc.) are working to address.
• Affordability and Demand: Technologically, it’s not just about supply of networks, but also ensuring people can utilize them. Many Fijians still have limited disposable income to spend on Internet connectivity or devices. A challenge is how to drive costs down as well as stimulate relevant local content to make the Internet valuable to all. Fiji is tackling this through a mix of regulatory pressure (keeping prices in check) and encouraging infrastructure sharing. For example, there have been talks to let Digicel and Vodafone share towers in remote areas to avoid duplicative costs – thereby making rural coverage more economical. On the demand side, building local content ecosystems (government services, local language content, online marketplaces for Fijian products) can increase the usefulness of the Internet to ordinary citizens, making them more willing to invest in access. The relatively low percentage of top websites cached locally (41%) pulse.internetsociety.org hints that much of what Fijians consume online is foreign content, which may not always align with local needs or languages. The government’s support for local innovators (through grants and start-up hubs) aims to change that, by spurring development of Fijian apps and platforms. If more farmers see a direct benefit (like selling crops via a Fiji e-commerce site or getting weather alerts in Fijian iTaukei language on their phone), they are more likely to subscribe to data services.

Despite these challenges, ongoing and planned improvements paint a positive picture. To summarize a few key developments:

• New Infrastructure: The Bulikula and Tabua cables (2025–26) will greatly boost international bandwidth and resilience blog.apnic.net. Plans for a second domestic cable linking Viti Levu and Vanua Levu (to augment the single cable that currently links them) are under discussion, which would strengthen internal connectivity. Moreover, Australia and New Zealand are co-funding a second international cable for Tonga (branching off the Southern Cross Next or Hawaiki) that lands in Fiji by 2025, which indirectly benefits Fiji by creating a mesh of regional connectivity submarinenetworks.com matangitonga.to. All these ensure Fiji remains well-peered and can even offer transit to others.
• 5G and Network Upgrades: Both Vodafone and Digicel (Telstra) are gearing up for 5G introduction. The delay in 5G appears to be ending, as spectrum allocation issues are resolved. By 2025, trial networks might go live in Suva or Nadi, with a full rollout by 2026–27. This will involve upgrades to thousands of mobile sites and new fiber backhaul – a big investment that the government is encouraging through streamlined permits and possibly fiscal incentives. Concurrently, fiber-to-the-home rollout is expected to accelerate in densely populated neighborhoods, with the hope that competition between 5G fixed-wireless and fiber will drive quality up and prices down.
• Satellite Continuity: Starlink’s impact is being closely watched. The government may negotiate special rates with Starlink for educational or emergency use. Also, OneWeb (the UK-backed LEO constellation) could become another option if it partners locally, which would give consumers more choice in satellite provider by 2025–26. The presence of multiple satellite providers would further ensure that even if one system has issues, another can fill in (for instance, during the Tonga cable outage, various satellites had to be used as backup – in future, Fiji and neighbors might maintain both Starlink and geostationary links in parallel for redundancy).
• Regional Leadership: Fiji is positioning itself as the Pacific’s digital hub, and this comes with advantages – being the hub means more infrastructure lands there, more data centers are built, and international firms invest in the country. The Tier III data center project will allow global content providers to host in Fiji, which could improve performance and attract business. Fiji’s leadership in forums like PITA and Pacific IGF also means it can steer regional initiatives to its benefit, such as advocating for reduced satellite bandwidth costs or shared regulatory frameworks.

In conclusion, Fiji’s challenges of geography, climate, and resource constraints are significant, but the country has shown creativity and determination in addressing them. By combining traditional telecom solutions with cutting-edge technologies and sound policy support, Fiji is steadily fortifying its Internet infrastructure. The road ahead will require sustained effort – training engineers, securing funding for rural expansions, and keeping services affordable – but Fiji’s current trajectory suggests it is well on its way to achieving a resilient, inclusive national Internet network, truly befitting the term “Internet revolution” in the Pacific context.

Comparisons with Other Pacific Island Nations

When examining Fiji’s Internet access progress, it is illuminating to compare it with other Pacific Island countries such as Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu. These peers share similar challenges (small, dispersed populations and isolated geographies) but differ in scale and infrastructure. Fiji generally stands out as a front-runner in connectivity, though each nation has unique circumstances:

• Tonga: A Polynesian kingdom of ~105,000 people, Tonga has made strides but also faced stark lessons in connectivity. Like Fiji, Tonga has nearly nation-wide mobile coverage (ITU data showed 96% 4G population coverage by 2023) pacificecommerce.org. Internet penetration in Tonga was reported around 58–72% in recent years datareportal.com developingtelecoms.com – somewhat lower than Fiji’s ~80%, but still significant. However, Tonga’s biggest vulnerability was its sole international cable. Since 2013, Tonga relied on a single submarine cable linking to Fiji (the Tonga Cable). In January 2022, a volcanic eruption and tsunami severed Tonga’s only cable, plunging the country into digital darkness for weeks capacitymedia.com. The outage impacted everything from banking to communications with the outside world. Digicel and others scrambled to establish emergency satellite links as a stopgap capacitymedia.com. This event underscored the need for redundancy. In response, Tonga (with support from Australia and NZ) is now getting a second international cable, slated to be operational by late 2025 submarinenetworks.com matangitonga.to. Compared to Fiji, which already has multiple cables, Tonga is catching up on resilience. Tonga’s domestic network is also smaller: two operators (Digicel and Tonga Communications Corp) provide mobile service, and fixed broadband is minimal. Where Fiji has an IXP and caches 41% of content locally pulse.internetsociety.org, Tonga had virtually no local caching (Internet Society noted only ~1% of top sites were locally reachable in Tonga) pulse.internetsociety.org. In essence, Fiji enjoys better connectivity and services than Tonga, but Tonga’s ongoing investments (including exploring Starlink licensing in 2024) developingtelecoms.com aim to improve its situation. The Tongan case validated Fiji’s strategy of having multiple cables and satellite backups, which Fiji’s policymakers often cite as justification for their infrastructure spending.
• Samoa: An independent nation of about 220,000 people, Samoa’s connectivity is intermediate between Fiji and Tonga. Samoa has two main international cables: the Samoa–Fiji Tui-Samoa cable (since 2018, landing in Suva) datacenterdynamics.com, and the older Samoa-America Samoa cable that connects via American Samoa to Hawaii (providing a route to the global Internet). Thus, Samoa has some redundancy. It also participates in the newer Manatua cable that links several Polynesian islands (though that primarily connected Samoa to Tahiti via Cook Islands). Internet penetration in Samoa is around 65–70%. Mobile coverage is extensive on the two main islands (Upolu and Savai’i), with 4G widely available. Unlike Fiji’s two big mobile carriers, Samoa has had multiple changes: BlueSky Samoa (later acquired by Vodafone Samoa) and Digicel Samoa are the competitors. Fiji and Samoa share similarities in pushing mobile money and e-government – Samoa, for instance, implemented a nationwide digital ID and uses mobile wallets for utility payments, akin to Fiji’s initiatives gsma.com gsma.com. Where Samoa lags Fiji is scale and localization: Fiji has far more international bandwidth and hosts more regional server nodes. Samoa still routes a lot of traffic via Fiji or Hawaii. That said, Samoa’s smaller size meant by 2022 it had a higher proportion of fiber-to-village projects completed (many villages are connected by fiber spurs from the main cable), which Fiji is only beginning to do on its smaller islands. Both countries now have access to LEO satellites; Starlink was eyeing Samoa after Fiji and Tonga. In terms of cost, Samoa’s telecom prices have traditionally been a bit higher than Fiji’s, due to less competition (especially before Vodafone’s entry). Samoa, like Fiji, has a strong government push for ICT – they had a digital transformation roadmap and have been part of regional projects with Fiji. Overall, Fiji has more robust infrastructure than Samoa (with more cables and larger networks), but Samoa is not far behind and enjoys decent connectivity for its size.
• Vanuatu: A Melanesian neighbor with around 320,000 population spread over many islands, Vanuatu’s journey has parallels to Fiji’s, albeit on a smaller scale. Vanuatu’s Internet penetration was roughly 45–70% (estimates vary) tradingeconomics.com theglobaleconomy.com. Vanuatu got its first submarine cable (ICN1) in 2014, which links to Fiji’s Suva landing station datacenterdynamics.com. This immediately improved connectivity from solely satellite before. However, that remained the only cable for a long time. A second cable connecting Vanuatu directly to Solomon Islands and then to Australia has been planned (the Coral Sea Cable system in 2019 went to Solomons/Papua New Guinea but did not branch to Vanuatu, missing an opportunity). As a result, Vanuatu still relies heavily on the single Fiji cable, plus satellite backups. Fiji and Vanuatu collaborated via the Interchange company, and Fiji’s role as a hub is critical for Vanuatu’s international traffic. Domestically, Vanuatu has two mobile operators (Digicel and Vodafone (formerly Telecom Vanuatu Ltd)). They have rolled out 4G in main towns, but many outer islands still have only 2G or 3G. Vanuatu’s geography (80+ inhabited islands) in some ways is more challenging than Fiji’s. The country has used creative solutions like community Wi-Fi hubs and, like Fiji, tapped into Kacific satellite for remote sites (as per Kacific, they serve both Fiji and Vanuatu markets) kacific.com. One notable area is that Vanuatu was one of the first Pacific nations to adopt an open-source 4G network for rural coverage and is considering OpenRAN solutions, partly to reduce costs. In comparison to Fiji, Vanuatu’s infrastructure is less extensive: no local IXP until recently, fewer fiber links, and smaller data capacity. Consequently, Fiji often has ten times Vanuatu’s international bandwidth or more at any given time. However, Vanuatu’s mobile penetration hit about 91% in 2023 (SIMs per population) trbr.vu, showing strong uptake of mobile services similar to Fiji’s pattern. Both countries face rural connectivity hurdles; Vanuatu perhaps more so, as some islands remain without any signal. Fiji’s advantage is its larger economy and status as a regional transit point, which attracted projects like the Google cables – something a country like Vanuatu might not get independently.

In broader terms, Fiji leads most Pacific Islands in connectivity metrics. Fiji’s Internet user percentage (~80%) is higher than the Pacific Islands’ average (the region was ~50% in 2022) gsma.com gsma.com, and Fiji, alongside places like Guam and Palau, is in the top tier of Pacific ICT development gsma.com. Fiji’s mobile subscriber penetration over 70% is well above giants like Papua New Guinea (~35%) and even above Polynesian states like Tonga or Samoa gsma.com. The only Pacific entities surpassing Fiji in some areas are ones like Guam or New Caledonia, which benefit from US/French integration and small size.

The differences often come down to scale and investment: Fiji’s larger population and economy justified multiple submarine cables and two big mobile operators, yielding more resilient and competitive services. Smaller nations often had one cable and maybe one dominant operator, which can lead to monopolistic scenarios. For example, until recently, many Pacific nations had a single ISP and sky-high prices; Fiji broke that mold early by liberalizing in the 2000s. The result is that Fijians generally pay less for more bandwidth compared to, say, citizens of Tuvalu or Kiribati where satellite is still primary. The ITU’s price data confirms Fiji’s mobile and broadband baskets are more affordable relative to income than those in some other Pacific states (Papua New Guinea and Micronesia, for instance, have mobile data baskets consuming well over 10% of GNI per capita, far above Fiji’s ~3–6%) unece.org.

That said, all Pacific nations including Fiji share common challenges: heavy reliance on external submarine cables that are costly to deploy and maintain, vulnerability to disasters, small skilled workforce, and the need for satellites to fill gaps. There is a strong spirit of cooperation – Fiji often provides technical support or bandwidth to neighbors during emergencies, and Pacific governments collectively advocate for better connectivity deals (for example, lobbying tech companies to place content caches in the Pacific, or negotiating bulk satellite capacity with providers).

In conclusion, Fiji’s Internet revolution puts it ahead of its Pacific peers in many respects, but the region as a whole is advancing. Tonga is addressing its redundancy issues, Samoa is leveraging its cables and considering new tech, and Vanuatu is slowly expanding its network. Fiji serves as a case study for these countries – demonstrating the benefits of multiple connections, a competitive telecom market, and embracing new solutions like LEO satellites. As these nations follow similar paths (each according to their scale), the Pacific islands collectively are moving toward better connectivity. Fiji’s leadership and experience will likely continue to be a valuable resource for its neighbors as they all navigate the journey toward faster, cheaper, and more reliable Internet access for their citizens.