The Fiji National Provident Fund, the majority shareholder in Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), says the licence issued to Starlink and other similar satellite technologies in Fiji should be done on a level playing field and not as “cherry-picking opportunities”.
The Fiji Times had enquired with FNPF how ATH and its subsidiaries would be affected once Starlink enters the Fiji market to provide satellite-based internet services.
In his response, FNPF chief executive officer Viliame Vodonaivalu said the fund has been an investor in the telecommunications sector through ATH since 1998 with FNPF holding 72.6 per cent shareholding in ATH whose subsidiaries are Vodafone Fiji, Telecom Fiji and Fiji International Telecommunications.
Mr Vodonaivalu said FNPF wasn’t consulted before the Government issued a spectrum licence to Starlink in November last year.
“FNPF has been an investor in the telecommunications sector through ATH since 1998,” said Mr Vodonaivalu.
“ATH has invested the largest amount in local telecommunications infrastructure and, therefore, the conditions under which such services are given entry and operating licences must be carried out on a level playing field in the best interest of all Fijians and not to exploit arbitrage or cherry-picking opportunities.”
He said Starlink and other similar satellite technologies offered a “potentially useful means of connecting the remote and isolated areas of the country”, however, because the fund does not have access to the operating conditions of Starlink’s licence, Mr Vodonaivalu could not specify how that company’s operations would affect ATH.
“Therefore, it would be premature to make an assessment of the impact to our subsidiary and its related entities.”
The Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications said Starlink’s entry into Fiji for commercial purposes would be a game changer for Fiji.
“This also serves the purpose of the Government’s efforts in connecting the unconnected population in maritime communities without significant upfront capital costs incurred,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica.
Starlink has announced on its social media page that it installed its first Starlink service in Fiji at Tappoos in Sigatoka on Thursday.
The company said internet speeds of 250Mbps have been received via satellite and users up to 800 metres away from the site could enjoy super-fast internet speeds. Starlink hasn’t announced the charges for installation and usage for the Fijian market.
