There are roughly 95 per cent of Fijians who have mobile internet connectivity through 3G, 4G and 4G+ networks.

The other five per cent is for the rural and maritime communities, to which the ministry is already working to get them connected too.

The Ministry of Communications acting permanent secretary Tupou’tuah Baravilala said this at the 2022 Fiji National University Cybersecurity Symposium at the Nasinu campus.

Ms Baravilala said access to the Southern Cross Cable fibre optic network provided fast, direct, resilient, and secure connectivity and we’ve made investments to improve its speed, through the Southern Cross NEXT cable network.

“To strengthen our resilience and for diversity, we are undertaking a feasibility study for a second fibre cable landing station,” Ms Baravilala said.

“Satellite services are a godsend for remote areas, connecting our most remote communities to the world through television and internet services, in addition to radio services through FM and AM transmission.”

Ms Baravilala disclosed at a national level, Fiji was in the process of reviewing its National Cybersecurity Strategy, establishing Fiji’s national Computer Emergency Response Team and to formalise capabilities that exist.

The Fijian Government enacted the Cybercrime Act, which is aligned to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

The university’s ITS director, Tiko Domonaikibau, highlighted the importance of such symposiums.

“The goal of this symposium is to help enterprises, small medium enterprises, and individuals become more cyber-aware and aware of the various solutions available on the market to assist them,” Mr Domonaikibau said.

“We also have had cyberattacks in Fiji, but details and data are not available, so cyberattacks are imminent for businesses and organisations in Fiji, it is no longer a question of it but when.”

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj