Internet Access in Kiribati: Bridging the Digital Divide Across Remote Pacific Islands

Kiribati is a remote Pacific nation of 33 atolls spread over 3.5 million km² of ocean​ esa.int. This extreme geographic dispersion makes internet access both crucial for development and challenging to achieve. Improved connectivity is vital for Kiribati’s economic and social progress – enabling better education, healthcare, e-commerce, and communication services in an otherwise isolated setting​ mict.gov.ki. Over the past decade, the country has made strides in expanding internet access, but significant gaps remain due to its unique insular environment.

1. Introduction

Internet access in Kiribati plays a pivotal role in overcoming the country’s isolation and driving development. As a small island developing state, Kiribati’s connectivity is a lifeline for education, healthcare, government services, and participation in the global economy​ mict.gov.ki​ mict.gov.ki. For instance, digital communication can connect remote outer island communities with teachers or doctors in the capital, improving quality of life. The government recognizes that affordable and reliable internet is essential to economic growth and social inclusion, especially for Kiribati’s far‑flung atolls​ mict.gov.ki. However, delivering broad internet coverage across Kiribati’s widely scattered islands has been a persistent challenge, requiring innovative solutions and strong investment.

2. Current State of Internet Access

Internet Penetration and Usage: Internet use in Kiribati has grown rapidly in recent years. There were approximately 73,300 internet users in January 2024 – about 54.4% of the population​ datareportal.com. This marks a dramatic improvement from just a few years ago (for example, only ~15% of I-Kiribati were online around 2018​ unctad.org). Despite over half the population now online, roughly 45% of citizens remain offline, indicating room for further growth​ datareportal.com. Social media adoption is also significant: about 52,000 Kiribati residents (38.7% of the population) were active social media users in 2024​ datareportal.com, reflecting the popularity of platforms like Facebook for staying connected.

Mobile and Broadband Availability: Kiribati relies heavily on mobile broadband as the primary means of internet access. As of early 2024 there were about 69,200 mobile cellular connections active in the country, equivalent to 51.4% of the population​ datareportal.com. Mobile networks (3G/4G) serve the capital South Tarawa and a handful of other islands, providing most users with internet via smartphones or wireless modems. In contrast, fixed broadband infrastructure is minimal – legacy ADSL fixed-line services were limited to South Tarawa and have largely been overtaken by mobile and wireless solutions​ documents1.worldbank.org. All international and inter-island connectivity currently depends on satellite links (since Kiribati lacks any submarine fiber cable to date)​ budde.com.au. This means bandwidth has historically been constrained and high-latency, especially for communities outside the main island.

Coverage and Providers: Internet availability remains concentrated in a few population centers. South Tarawa (the urban capital area) enjoys the most coverage, with multiple cellular towers and wireless hotspots serving over half of Kiribati’s people. In the remote outer islands, connectivity is sparse – many atolls until recently had no signal or internet access at all​ worldbank.org. The country’s telecom market was long a monopoly, but is now served by a couple of providers. Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Kiribati Ltd (ATHKL) – trading as Vodafone Kiribati – is the main operator, offering mobile voice/data and limited fixed-line services nationwide​ budde.com.au. ATHKL took over the state-owned Telecom Services Kiribati Ltd in 2015, upgrading 3G/4G coverage in Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and reducing prices for users​ budde.com.au​ budde.com.au. A second operator, Ocean Link, launched in 2019 to introduce competition and extend service to additional islands. Ocean Link provides mobile and wireless broadband coverage on some outer islands (such as Makin, Butaritari, Kuria, and Aranuka) that previously lacked connectivity​ documents1.worldbank.org​ documents1.worldbank.org. A few smaller ISPs also operate in niche markets – for example, Speedcast and local companies like Taotin or Pintechoffer satellite-based internet or Wi-Fi services to businesses and communities​ documents1.worldbank.org​ documents1.worldbank.org. Overall, mobile broadband via the two telcos is the dominant mode of internet access, with satellite services filling the gaps in the most remote locations.

3. Challenges in Internet Access

Kiribati faces numerous challenges in expanding and improving internet access, stemming from both its physical environment and socio-economic conditions. Key obstacles include:

• Infrastructure Limitations & Geography: Kiribati’s island geography makes traditional telecom infrastructure deployment extremely difficult. The 33 atolls are spread thousands of kilometers apart, so laying fiber-optic cables domestically is impractical and microwave links cannot span such distances​ budde.com.au. Each island must be connected via satellite or expensive point-to-point links, and maintaining equipment in remote coral atolls (with exposure to salt water, storms, and limited utilities) is logistically complex. The islands’ small land area and low elevation also mean land-based towers and facilities are vulnerable to weather and climate impacts. This dispersed terrain forces Kiribati to rely on satellite connectivity, which historically offered limited bandwidth and high latency​ budde.com.au.
• High Cost and Affordability: The cost of internet service in Kiribati has been among the highest in the Pacific, making it hard for many citizens to afford access​ worldbank.org. Although prices have started to decline, they remain a barrier. For example, as recently as 2017 a basic fixed broadband plan cost over **80% of average monthly income】​ datahub.itu.int– effectively out of reach for most households. Mobile data is somewhat more affordable but still expensive: a low-usage mobile data/voice bundle costs around **7.8% of GNI per capita】​ datahub.itu.int, far above the 2% affordability target set by the UN. The high poverty rate in Kiribati means many people struggle to pay for internet service and devices (smartphones or computers). This economic barrier slows the growth of user numbers, even where coverage is available.
• Urban–Rural Digital Divide: There is a stark connectivity gap between Kiribati’s urban center (South Tarawa) and its rural outer islands. Over half of the population lives in South Tarawa, which has relatively modern telecom infrastructure, whereas tens of thousands of residents on outer islands have little to no network coverage​ worldbank.org. Villages on distant atolls often lack even 2G cellular signals or public internet access points. This urban–rural divide is partly due to population distribution – small, scattered communities are costly to serve – and partly due to past focus on the capital. While nearly all South Tarawa residents are within mobile network range, those in the Outer Islands may have to travel or climb trees to catch a weak signal, or rely on radio and expensive satellite phones. Bridging this digital divide by extending affordable internet to remote island communities remains a core challenge.
• Regulatory and Logistical Barriers: Kiribati’s tiny telecom market has limited commercial appeal, which historically left it with a single state-run provider and little competition. Until the mid-2010s, the absence of competition contributed to high prices and slow adoption. Reforms have since been implemented – the government liberalized the sector, establishing the Communications Commission of Kiribati (CCK) as regulator and licensing new operators​ budde.com.au. However, ensuring a “level playing field” is ongoing; for example, interconnection between networks was only finalized in 2019 to allow calls between different providers​ documents1.worldbank.org. On the logistical side, supplying and maintaining telecom equipment on remote islands is difficult and costly. Transporting tower components, satellite dishes, and fuel for generators requires long sea voyages and favorable weather. Technicians must be flown or shipped to outer islands for repairs, leading to delays in fixing outages. These operational challenges, combined with limited human resources and technical expertise locally, can impede the reliability and expansion of internet services. Additionally, energy infrastructure is weak on some islands, so powering cell sites or VSAT terminals (often via solar panels and batteries) adds complexity. Despite donor support, the capacity constraints of Kiribati’s institutions and the sheer remoteness of its islands continue to pose barriers to achieving ubiquitous internet access.

4. Satellite Internet in Kiribati

Because of the country’s isolation, satellite internet has long been the backbone of Kiribati’s connectivity. Traditionally, all international bandwidth and many domestic links have come via geostationary (GEO) satellites. In the past, this meant very limited data speeds and high latency – for example, a 512 kbps satellite internet connection used to cost on the order of $500 per month in Kiribati​ worldbank.org. Such GEO satellite links (often C-band or Ku-band) provided basic voice and data to Tarawa and some outer islands, but with latency around 600–800 ms and throughput constraints. Government agencies and banks sometimes maintained VSAT terminals to connect outer islands, but these served only select facilities. Until recently, ordinary residents in outer islands had virtually no direct internet access, as VSAT costs were prohibitively high.

High-Throughput and New GEO Satellites: The satellite landscape began improving in the late 2010s with the arrival of high-throughput satellites (HTS) dedicated to the Pacific. Notably, the company Kacific launched its Kacific1 Ka-band satellite in 2019, and Kiribati signed on as a customer to utilize this capacity. Kacific’s spot-beam technology delivers much faster speeds (up to tens of Mbps) and more capacity via relatively small dishes. Indeed, Kiribati’s telecom operators are now using Kacific’s satellite for mobile network backhaul and rural connectivity, enabling 3G/4G base stations on remote islands to connect to the core network​ pacific.scoop.co.nz. Local ISPs have also emerged to leverage HTS capacity – for example, Speedwave Kiribati provides community internet on islands like Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) using Kacific bandwidth. These new satellite services offer broadband (20–40 Mbps) with improved latency (~500 ms), vastly better than older setups. In addition to Kacific, other GEO satellites (Intelsat, SES/O3b Networks) serve Kiribati: the O3b medium-earth orbit system has been considered to reduce latency, and C-band satellites still handle legacy voice circuits. Overall, satellite internet today is far more capable than a decade ago, and it remains indispensable for Kiribati’s outer islands and as a backup for primary links.

Emergence of LEO Satellites (Starlink, OneWeb): The latest game-changer for Kiribati is the advent of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet. Services like SpaceX’s Starlink constellation have begun reaching even the most remote Pacific islands with high-speed, low-latency broadband​ blog.apnic.net. Starlink’s network of hundreds of LEO satellites now covers Kiribati’s skies, delivering download speeds over 100 Mbps with latency ~100–150 ms – comparable to terrestrial broadband​ blog.apnic.net. Although Starlink is not yet officially licensed in Kiribati (as of late 2024), residents have eagerly adopted it via roaming arrangements. In South Tarawa alone, an estimated 1,500 Starlink user terminals were in use by 2024 through foreign-registered subscriptions​ blog.apnic.net. Many more kits have been informally brought into the outer islands as well, demonstrating pent-up demand for fast internet. The regulator (CCK) has been issuing temporary ground station permits to these users while formal licensing is being finalized​ blog.apnic.net. The impact is already evident – some remote users are experiencing broadband for the first time via Starlink, enabling video calls and online services previously impossible with GEO satellites. Besides Starlink, other LEO and satellite innovations are on the horizon. OneWeb, another LEO provider, completed its global satellite constellation in 2023 and is partnering with regional teleports (like a gateway in Fiji) to serve the Pacific. In the near future, OneWeb and similar networks could offer alternative low-latency connectivity options for Kiribati’s government, schools, and businesses. There are also community-focused initiatives, such as deploying community Wi-Fi hubs connected via satellite. Under one program, Kiribati has set up solar-powered satellite Wi-Fi stations in some outer island villages to provide public internet access on a shared basis. These allow residents to come to a central location (such as a school or island council office) to get online for essential communications. Such initiatives, often supported by donors, are helping remote communities benefit from satellite broadband until more permanent solutions arrive. In summary, satellites – from traditional GEO to new LEO – are and will remain a critical component of Kiribati’s internet ecosystem, linking its isolated islands to the rest of the world.

5. Government Policies and Initiatives

The Kiribati government has recognized the importance of digital connectivity and has undertaken several policies and projects to improve internet access:

National ICT Policy and Strategy: Kiribati updated its National ICT Policy in 2019, outlining a vision of “universal, affordable, and reliable” communications for all I-Kiribati​ mict.gov.ki​ mict.gov.ki. This policy aligns with the country’s 20-year development plan (KV20) and emphasizes bridging the digital divide. Key goals include providing universal access – aiming for every village to have at least 6–8 Mbps internet service – and uniform pricing so that outer island users pay the same rates as those in Tarawa​ mict.gov.ki​ mict.gov.ki. The policy also calls for improved e-government services and increased use of ICT in education and health. For example, the government is committed to connecting all schools and clinics to the internet and training staff in digital skills​ mict.gov.ki. Another objective is ensuring secure and fast international communications, with a target of establishing at least two high-quality, low-latency international links (to reduce dependence on any single system)​ mict.gov.ki. These strategic plans underscore the government’s intent to invest in telecom infrastructure and create an enabling environment for connectivity.

Regulatory Reforms and Liberalization: To implement its vision, Kiribati undertook major telecom sector reforms in the 2010s. The Communications Commission of Kiribati (CCK) was established as an independent regulator to oversee licensing, spectrum, and consumer protection​ documents1.worldbank.org. The telecom market, once a monopoly, was liberalized – the government privatized its telecom operator in 2015, selling TSKL to Fiji’s Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (now ATHKL)​ budde.com.au. This privatization was coupled with a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) agreement that required the new company to maintain services in outer islands as well​ documents1.worldbank.org. The government and CCK also invited new entrants: Ocean Link received a license as a second operator to foster competition. By updating licensing frameworks (a simple “notify and register” regime) and spectrum management tools, Kiribati lowered barriers for private providers​ documents1.worldbank.org​ documents1.worldbank.org. Interconnection regulations were put in place so that any new ISP can link with the incumbent’s network fairly​ documents1.worldbank.org. These regulatory initiatives, supported by development partners like the World Bank, have helped introduce more choice and gradually drive down prices. Additionally, the government has worked on consumer awareness and cyber security measures to ensure a safe digital environment as access expands.

BwebwerikiNET (BNL) and Infrastructure Development: Kiribati formed a state-owned infrastructure company, BwebwerikiNET Limited (BNL), in 2017 to spearhead telecom development. BNL operates as an open-access wholesale provider, tasked with building and managing broadband infrastructure that private retail operators can use​ bnl.com.ki. Essentially, BNL aggregates public and donor funding to invest in big-ticket projects (like submarine cables, island towers, and fiber networks) and then leases capacity to companies like ATHKL or Ocean Link. This model is meant to reduce duplication and ensure even the small market of Kiribati can enjoy modern infrastructure at lower cost. For example, BNL is responsible for the upcoming submarine cable systems and will operate the cable landing stations and backhaul fiber, offering bandwidth to all licensed operators on equal terms​ bnl.com.ki​ bnl.com.ki. BNL also inherited and now maintains passive telecom infrastructure on outer islands (such as towers and satellite hubs previously run by TSKL)​ bnl.com.ki. Through such arrangements, Kiribati leverages public investment to extend coverage where it may not be immediately profitable for private telcos. The government has also entered public–private partnerships for specific projects – a notable case is the Outer Islands Connectivity Project, where private operators (like Ocean Link and ATHKL) partner with government to deliver services to remote islands under viability gap funding. Donors and development agencies often support these initiatives with technical assistance and grants.

Donor Support and International Collaboration: Given its limited resources, Kiribati heavily relies on development partners to improve its internet infrastructure. Australia, Japan, the United States, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have all contributed to connectivity projects. A flagship effort is the East Micronesia Cableproject (detailed in the next section), funded by a consortium of Australia, Japan, and the US to connect Kiribati to a regional fiber optic cable​ bnl.com.ki. The World Bank has provided financing and expertise for both the international cable and a complementary domestic fiber-optic network in Tarawa​ bnl.com.ki. That domestic network will connect government offices, schools, and hospitals on South Tarawa with high-speed fiber and also enable internet service providers to deliver fiber-to-the-home/business in the capital. ADB, for its part, is supporting connectivity for the sparsely populated Line Islands (e.g. a project to link Kiritimati Island by a submarine cable spur)​ bnl.com.ki. There are also collaborations through regional organizations – Kiribati participates in the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) and receives technical training and regulatory support via organizations like the ITU and the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF). These partnerships aim to bolster Kiribati’s capacity to maintain networks and adopt new technologies. In summary, government policy combined with public–private and international partnerships is gradually creating a stronger foundation for internet access in Kiribati, focusing on both hard infrastructure and the policy environment needed for sustainable connectivity growth.

6. Future Prospects

The coming few years promise significant improvements in Kiribati’s internet infrastructure and access, thanks to major projects and emerging technologies. Key future developments include:

Submarine Fiber-Optic Cables: For the first time in its history, Kiribati is set to be connected to the global fiber network via undersea cable. The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) is under construction (with completion expected in 2025)​ bnl.com.ki. This cable will connect Tarawa (Kiribati’s capital) to Nauru and to Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, onward to Pohnpei (FSM) where it links into an existing cable to Guam​ bnl.com.ki. In effect, Tarawa will gain a high-capacity fiber route to the internet backbone in Guam. The EMCS, funded by Australia, Japan, and the US, will dramatically increase bandwidth available to Kiribati and reduce latency (bringing it down to ~50–60 ms from Tarawa to Guam, compared to ~600 ms via satellite). This should be a transformative upgrade for South Tarawa’s connectivity – supporting data-intensive applications, lowering wholesale costs, and improving reliability (fiber is less affected by weather than satellite). In parallel, Kiribati is pursuing a second cable link for its far eastern territory, Kiritimati (Christmas Island). A branching spur from the Southern Cross NEXT cable (which runs between Australia and the US) is planned to land at Kiritimati Island​ bnl.com.ki. Since the main Southern Cross NEXT trunk passes about 400 km from Kiritimati, a branch could conveniently bring multi-terabit capacity to that remote island. ADB is assisting with this “Kiritimati Cable Project,” and while timelines are still being finalized, it could become operational around the mid-2020s. If realized, Kiritimati (and nearby Line/Phoenix Islands) would no longer be entirely dependent on satellites. In sum, by the late 2020s Kiribati hopes to have two submarine cable gateways – one in the west (Tarawa) and one in the east (Kiritimati) – greatly enhancing the country’s international connectivity. These cables will also interconnect with other regional systems, providing route diversity. The arrival of fiber optics is expected to slash the cost per megabit of bandwidth for Kiribati’s ISPs, which in turn should lead to more affordable internet packages for consumers.

Network Upgrades and 5G Potential: With abundant bandwidth forthcoming, Kiribati’s domestic networks will need upgrades to distribute it. Plans are in place to build a fiber-optic backbone on South Tarawa, connecting key towns and cell towers to the new cable landing station​ bnl.com.ki. This backbone, financed by the World Bank, will allow ISPs to deliver high-speed fixed broadband (fiber-to-the-premises or via Wi-Fi) in the dense South Tarawa area. It will also improve mobile network performance by giving cell sites fiber backhaul. As the core network strengthens, Kiribati may look toward next-generation mobile technology. While 5G mobile service is not expected immediately, the ICT policy notes the importance of staying open to new technologies like 5G and IoT (Internet of Things) over time​ mict.gov.ki. In the long run, once the cables are in place and 4G LTE is fully utilized, a 5G rollout in South Tarawa could be considered to meet growing demand for data and advanced applications. For the outer islands, ongoing efforts will focus on extending 3G/4G coverage. The government and operators plan to deploy more cell towers and wireless access points on islands that today lack service, using a mix of satellite backhaul (which will be more affordable with new satellite options) and possibly microwave links for nearby islet clusters. Renewable energy (solar) will likely power many remote base stations to keep operating costs down. Taken together, these upgrades point to a future where both urban and rural Kiribati have much faster and more reliable local networks.

Role of LEO Satellites and Other Technologies: In addition to terrestrial infrastructure, the continued expansion of LEO satellite internet will shape Kiribati’s connectivity future. Once Starlink obtains a local license (expected as Pacific-wide approvals progress​ techinpacific.com​ techinpacific.com), it can officially offer service in Kiribati with localized pricing and support. This could unlock a new wave of individual and business subscriptions, especially on outer islands where cable infrastructure won’t reach. Likewise, OneWeb’s forthcoming services might be leveraged by government or telecom operators to provide backhaul or direct internet access in remote zones. The presence of multiple LEO providers could drive costs down through competition and offer redundancy (for instance, a school on an outer island could choose between a couple of satellite options for connectivity). Another emerging solution is community satellite terminals – essentially rugged Wi-Fi hotspots fed by satellite – which Kiribati can deploy in every inhabited island to guarantee a basic level of access. These, combined with universal service subsidies, could ensure that even the smallest villages have a way to get online (for example, to make a video call or download educational content) in the coming years. Beyond connectivity itself, Kiribati is also focusing on digital literacy and inclusion so that its people can fully benefit from the improved internet. Programs to integrate ICT in school curricula, training for teachers, and community workshops on digital skills are likely to accompany the infrastructure rollouts. The younger generation in Kiribati is rapidly embracing smartphones and online platforms, so improving digital literacy will help turn connectivity into tangible development gains. There is optimism that with better access, Kiribati can develop new digital services – such as e-health consultations for outer islands, online banking and mobile money (building on the M-PAISA service already introduced)​ mict.gov.ki, and e-commerce opportunities for local artisans and fishermen to reach broader markets.

In summary, the future of internet access in Kiribati looks brighter than ever. The combination of submarine cables, advanced satellites, and supportive government initiatives is set to vastly improve both the capacity and reach of Kiribati’s networks. By addressing the remaining gaps in infrastructure and skills, Kiribati can overcome the tyranny of distance and ensure that even its most remote atoll communities are connected to the digital world.

7. Conclusion

Kiribati’s internet landscape is at a turning point. Today, roughly half of the population has some form of internet access, up from negligible levels a decade ago​ datareportal.com​ worldbank.org. Mobile broadband and satellite links have become the lifelines knitting together this dispersed island nation, supporting critical services and social connection. Severe challenges persist – from the high cost of connectivity and patchy coverage in outer islands, to the immense technical hurdles of maintaining networks across vast ocean distances. Kiribati’s small economy and remote location mean it must continuously rely on creative solutions and international support to bridge its digital divide. Yet, the progress to date and the initiatives underway offer hope that these barriers can be overcome. The planned introduction of submarine fiber-optic cables by 2025 will be a game-changer, injecting affordable high-speed capacity that can drastically improve service quality and pricing​ bnl.com.ki. Meanwhile, new LEO satellite services are already bringing unprecedented bandwidth to islands that used to be completely offline​ blog.apnic.net​ blog.apnic.net. The government’s proactive policies – liberalizing the telecom sector, investing in infrastructure via BNL, and focusing on universal access – provide a solid framework to ensure these innovations translate into real benefits for all citizens. In essence, Kiribati stands poised to move from one of the world’s most connectivity-challenged nations toward a more digitally inclusive future. By continuing to address the remaining gaps in infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy, Kiribati can leverage the power of the internet to boost its development and improve the quality of life of its people, no matter how remote their island home may be.

Sources:

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