More than 111,000 Fijians living in some of the country’s most remote and underserved areas will soon gain reliable internet and voice services through the deployment of Starlink satellite technology, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica told Parliament last week.
He said tests of Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system were carried out in November 2024 across multiple terrains in Fiji, producing “decisive” results.
The technology proved reliable and consistent, particularly in the country’s rugged and scattered islands, leading to its adoption for the first phase of the Universal Service Scheme (USS).
Phase one will see 126 sites connected, including 36 each in Kadavu and Lau, 15 in Lomaiviti, 13 in Namosi, two in Navosa, and 24 in Tailevu.
Each location will have at least two wi-fi access points, solar-powered systems for off-grid communities, emergency satellite phones for disaster response, and a voucher-based access model to encourage responsible use.
Mr Kamikamica said the scheme was designed to target areas with the greatest connectivity gaps.
Local youth will be trained to maintain the systems, while women’s groups and cooperatives will manage voucher distribution, boosting financial inclusion and creating small business opportunities.
“This is not just about technology,” Mr Kamikamica told Parliament.
“For 111,300 Fijians, it means children attending online classes, families keeping in touch with loved ones abroad, nurses accessing telemedicine, fishermen getting real-time weather updates, and small businesses reaching new customers. This is empowerment.”