THE Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) has signed Universal Service Obligation (USO) contracts with Digicel Fiji and Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) that will ensure connectivity for rural and maritime communities.
These contracts support delivery under the Universal Service Scheme (USS) and funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Through the partnerships, Digicel Fiji will deliver services to 33 communities in Lau, providing access to more than 3200 people; and TFL will serve 30 communities across Lomaiviti, Namosi, and Navosa, reaching more than 2600 people.
These deployments form part of a broader national program that will extend connectivity to 240 communities nationwide, benefiting an estimated 23,000 Fijians.
“This New Year marks an important step in bringing meaningful connectivity to rural and maritime communities,” Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua said.
“The initiative will allow Fijians to stay in touch with family, access essential services and open new opportunities for their communities.”
TAF chairman David Eyre said this partnership reflected a clear move from policy to delivery.
“Through the industry-funded Universal Service Fund, established under government policy and administered by TAF, remote and maritime communities are being connected to digital markets, services and opportunities that were previously beyond reach of telecommunications networks,” Mr Eyre said in a statement.
He said TAF continued to engage with other potential delivery partners and expected to progressively extend USS coverage to additional provinces as delivery readiness and capacity increased.
Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Farid Mohammed said the project was designed to ensure the technology deployed was both robust and suitable for Fiji’s remote geography and included Service Level Agreements for services reliant on external satellite infrastructure.
“Connecting remote and underserved communities, such as those in the Lau Group, is the core objective of this project,” Mr Mohammed said.
“By expanding communications services, we are making access available to vital digital tools that will drive economic growth, increase healthcare access, enhance educational opportunities, and open doors to financial inclusion for thousands of Fijians.”
Telecom Fiji chief executive officer Charles Goundar said the partnership reflected their commitment to inclusive national development.
He said through the USS, they were delivering practical, resilient connectivity solutions to communities that had been digitally excluded for far too long.
“By combining Starlink satellite technology with our managed Wi-Fi and community ownership model, we are ensuring that connectivity is sustainable, affordable, and impactful,” Mr Goundar said.
The rollout will be implemented in phases.
Mobilisation and service delivery under Phase 1 will commence in the first week of January 2026.
