Report Reveals Pacific On the Cusp Of A Digital Revolution

The Pacific Islands are poised to embark its digital transformation journey with support of mobile technology.

The Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) 23rd annual general meeting and annual conference started yesterday at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa, Yanuca Island, ends on Friday.

The conference would ensure crucial decisions including ensuring access to sufficient spectrum for better coverage and capacity will be discussed.

“This is an exciting time for the Pacific Islands as it stands on the cusp of a digital revolution and mobile technology will play a pivotal role in this transformation, providing access to life-enhancing services such as health and education and acting as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth,” said Mats Granryd, director-general, GSMA.

“To ensure affordable, high-quality mobile services, collaboration across the mobile ecosystem, is key to unlocking the full potential of mobile and to connect everyone and everything to a better future.”

Statistics in a report on digital transformation of the Pacific Islands.

The Mobile Economy Pacific Islands 2019 report reveal that:

- Mobile helping to boost financial inclusion: The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) was launched in 2008 and has funded 44 projects with financial service providers helping more than 2 million Pacific Islanders access formal financial services;

- The ongoing shift to mobile broadband and digital transformation: at the end of 2018 mobile internet penetration in the region was the lowest of any

region in the world at 18 per cent. However, 4G connections in the Pacific Islands are set to account for more than half of total connections by 2023,

doubling the figure from the end of 2018 and increasing access to services;

- Infrastructure challenges: Many countries in the Pacific Islands region face issues around insufficient infrastructure. Several countries are yet to complete the digital switchover process, including Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Solomon Islands; and

- Unlocking the full potential of mobile: The upcoming World Radio Communication Conference will be one of the best opportunities for governments

and industry to identify a significant amount of harmonised millimetre wave spectrum, which will result in massive economies of scale for 5G in the

future.

CLICK here to read The Mobile Economy Pacific Islands 2019 report