Telstra-owned Papua New Guinea telco Digicel PNG is reportedly investing PGK20 million (almost US$4.9 million) to upgrade its 4G network in Lae, the capital of Morobe Province and the second-largest city in the country.
According to a report in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier newspaper on Tuesday, Digicel PNG senior vice president and chief sales officer Lorna McPherson said the latest network upgrade builds on the PGK370 million the telco has invested in its network since Telstra acquired its parent company Digicel Pacific in 2022.
Digicel PNG also said it has upgraded its network in Port Moresby and built 115 new mobile towers in the past two years, which has significantly expanded its reach to underserved areas. In September 2024, the telco expanded its 4G coverage to all 21 provinces in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Its 4G network now covers over 80% of the population of Papua New Guinea, the report said.
Digicel PNG CEO Tarik Boudiaf said the telco’s network investments are bringing connectivity to more Papua New Guineans, enabling better communication, remote education, and digital commerce for individuals and businesses, as well as participation in the digital economy.
“By enhancing connectivity, we are not only improving digital access but also contributing to the nation’s social and economic development,” he was quoted as saying.