The Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) and the Communications Commission Tonga (CCT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen regulatory cooperation, institutional capacity building, and knowledge sharing.
The agreement, signed by TAF chairperson David Eyre and CCT chairperson Reverend Samiuela Manitisa Fonua, marks the authority’s second bilateral regulatory cooperation MoU in recent months, following a similar agreement with Vanuatu in August early this year.
The framework enables closer collaboration through the exchange of regulatory expertise, technical knowledge, and institutional practices; and establishes a platform to share experiences in universal service, spectrum management, consumer protection, and emerging telecommunications technologies.
Both regulators face unique regional connectivity challenges, including geographic isolation, dispersed populations, and increasing technological complexity. This partnership aligns with the regional aspirations of the Lagatoi Declaration on Digital Transformation of the Pacific and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The TAF chairperson emphasised the necessity of shared learning to address these hurdles.
“Pacific Island countries face many common challenges in expanding connectivity, strengthening regulatory institutions and responding to rapidly evolving technologies,” Mr Eyre said.
“We believe there is considerable value in sharing the practical lessons gained through our respective regulatory experiences, particularly in areas such as universal service, spectrum management and emerging technologies.
“Our objective is to ensure that partnerships such as this move beyond institutional agreements and translate into practical cooperation that strengthens our regulatory capabilities and ultimately benefits the communities we serve.”
For CCT – established on July 1 this year – the partnership is a vital mechanism for early-stage development.
Mr Fonua said the partnership provided an important opportunity for the Communications Commission Tonga to strengthen its institutional capacity through knowledge sharing and technical cooperation.
“We are particularly interested in Fiji’s experience with universal service and the approaches taken to extend connectivity to underserved communities, which offer valuable lessons for Tonga,” he said.
Both authorities intend to translate the agreement into practical initiatives, including technical exchanges and capacity-building activities.
