Telecom Fiji Limited has notched another milestone in its ICT expansion, now with the launch of its new Connect 4G Plus service.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in launching this service, said the project stands as a tremendous achievement in itself.

“This new Connect 4G Plus will bring an even higher level of internet service to Fiji,” he said.

“It will give Fijians the ability to upload and download content at unprecedented speeds.

“Our people will be able to browse faster, work harder and enjoy convenient services such as e-banking and streaming online-television.”

Benefits and increasing spread

Mr Bainimarama stressed no one can argue against the immense benefits of ICT development.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to be there every step of the way, as they work to expand the reach of this technology and spread the benefits of 4G Plus as widely as possible.

“So this is indeed an occasion worth celebrating, but in doing so, I would be remiss not to address some of the pitfalls of such rapid ICT development,” he said.

“I’m talking specifically about the detrimental effect that new, advanced technologies can have in widening socio-economic gaps in Fijian society or the digital divide.

“The gaps between the rich and poor, between the uneducated and the educated and between those in urban centres and those in isolated areas – gaps that my Government is committed to eliminating.”

“When only certain groups obtain the advantages of new technologies, they leave our more vulnerable people behind.

“I’ve talked many times about this “digital divide” and about the work my Government is carrying out to ensure equitable access to ICT technologies.”

A proud moment

Mr Bainimarama in congratulating Telecom Fiji said he was especially proud given TFL is Fiji’s 100% locally owned telecommunications company.

“ICTs, and their wide range of applications, form the backbone of our economic development,” he said.

“They are one of the most effective tools my Government wields in improving our citizens engagement with each other and with the rest of the world.

“Our commitment to sector remains unwavering, and we look forward to maintaining the spirit of co-operation with private enterprises and organisations that has taken us this far, TFL included.”

Reach

He said the launch was a glowing reminder of how far we have come in building ICT capacity and expanding service offerings throughout our islands.

“This past year caps off a decade of my Government’s targeted investment campaign and common sense regulation in our ICT sector,” he said.

“This has led to a record numbers of Fijians accessing record levels of ICT service quality.

“We’ve achieved that by creating an environment that fosters ICT innovation and competition.

“We’ve harnessed the spirit of free enterprise, and made it work in Fiji, while also providing a foundation of capable, modern infrastructure for our private sector partners to build upon. And that has proven to be a recipe for success.”

Edited By: RACHNA LAL