TWO State agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to forge a partnership to use resources and other expertise to deliver government program together.
Through the partnership, DataCo will roll out the fibre optic cables to connect towns and districts throughout the country through the road network system in the country.
DataCo operates and maintains an extensive network of more than 12,000km of fibre optic cable both internationally and locally. In addition, DataCo manages three tied data centres and 51 satellite infrastructures throughout PNG.
The company’s network cables has reached 21 of the 22 provinces and 67 out of the 96 districts in PNG, with 44 districts connected via fibre optic and 23 districts via satellite, achieving a 70 per cent district connectivity rate across the country.
This expansive network and infrastructure have significantly enhanced PNG’s telecommunications landscape, resulting in low latency, increased availability and accessibility, and notably reduced costs for wholesale telecommunications and digital services.
The signing of the MoU would now enhance the rollout connectivity throughout the country to reach districts that have not been reached by running the fiber optic cables along the country’s road network as an option to address challenges they (DataCo) often face.
DataCo chief executive officer Paul Komboi said through the MoA, it sets the pace for implementation of government program where the two would work together to share resources and expertise.
Works Secretary Gibson Holemba said the partnership will see greater collaboration between the two agencies as they work towards moving the government program, the connect PNG economic infrastructure investment program.
He said the signing marks a significance moment from the Information, community and technology space, and all the inter agency level of government collaboration on implementing the Connect PNG Telecommunication systems project for the first time since 1975, as the country celebrates its 50th years of Independence in September this year.
He said the vision is to improve both physical and digital connectivity across PNG.
Mr Holemba said the DoWH and DataCo PNG Ltd have agreed to establish a formal framework of collaboration to improve the country’s road network and overall infrastructure to stimulate economic activities and enhanced service delivery across urban to rural communities whilst initiating the Connect PNG Telecommunication System Project.