Vodafone Fiji has become Fiji’s latest authorised reseller of Starlink satellite Internet services and the second Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) subsidiary to do so in less than five months. Vodafone Fiji made the announcement last week.
“This collaboration introduces advanced satellite internet technology to Fiji, representing expansion in Vodafone Fiji’s mission to deliver innovative connectivity solutions to the Fijian community,” it stated.
“By leveraging Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites, Vodafone Fiji will provide its enterprise customers with reliable high-speed internet, even in the most remote regions of the country.”
Starlink’s entry into the Pacific has been a double-edged sword for ATH, whose expansion into the Pacific in recent years now sees it operating mobile telephone services in a number of Pacific countries through the Vodafone brand and subsea cable Internet to complement its offerings.
In its latest annual report released early this month, the telecom conglomerate said Starlink’s entry provided it with important development opportunities as well as concerns.
“While Starlink is a competitive option at the retail front, we also view significant opportunity to leverage the capabilities to enhance our services and help bridge the digital divide by connecting underserved communities in a cost-effective manner,” said ATH chief executive officer Ivan Fong.
“Our subsidiary, Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL), along with potentially others in the near future, is partnering with Starlink to leverage Starlink satellite technology, which will extend our reach and improve connectivity across the region.
“While ATH sees potential in collaborating with telco operators like Starlink to expand mobile coverage in remote areas, we also have concerns.
“The rise of LEO satellites potentially raises issues related to data sovereignty, information security, and compliance with exchange control regulations and tax laws.
“Additionally, ATH believes that uniform terms and conditions for all internet service operators are essential to ensure fair competition in the market,” Mr Fong said.
Starlink’s official launch in Cook Islands last month had a quick direct impact on Vodafone Cook Islands, a subsidiary of ATH, which experienced a 12 per cent decline in Internet revenue and “significant loss in the high-yield residential and certain business segments of the broadband services market” attributed to Starlink’s entry.
In July this year, Telecom Fiji had become the first ATH subsidiary to become a Starlink reseller in Fiji.
Source: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/telco-joins-low-earth-orbit-satellites-parent-group-wary/