A NEW report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlights Fiji’s impressive strides in Internet development, with a 97 per cent penetration rate among its 940,000 citizens.
Titled “Assessing Internet Development in Fiji” the report presents major findings and recommendations of the comprehensive assessment conducted between September 2023 and September 2024
Among these is that despite robust coverage driven by key service providers and advancements like undersea fibre optic cables, gaps in accessibility, legal frameworks, and multistakeholder engagement threaten Fiji’s vision of becoming a “smart island.”
“In terms of accessibility, while the Government has made strides in promoting broadband access through policies aiming for 95 per cent population coverage, internet services are still unevenly distributed, with remote areas facing connectivity challenges,” the report states.
“The introduction of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites presents an opportunity for expanding access to these regions.
“However, the Government has yet to establish mechanisms to ensure web accessibility for persons with disabilities and rural communities.”
The report states Fiji lacks a culture of multistakeholder participation in internet-related decision-making and policymaking.
“The country has yet to implement robust legal and practical frameworks for public consultation, which are essential for fostering broader engagement and improving transparency in government processes.”
“While Fiji participates in regional and global Internet Governance Forums (IGF), it has not established a national IGF or formal mechanisms to engage diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, technical community and academia, in shaping internet debates and policies.”