Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Solomons bill opens up competition in telecommunications

Posted at 21:05 on 27 August, 2009 UTC

The Solomon Islands’s Parliament last night passed the much awaited Telecommunications Bill that will see new entrants competing in the Telecommunications Sector.

The previous Telecommunications Act only allowed for a sole telecommunications provider.

The passing of the new legislation will provide cheaper telecommunications services and a wider coverage currently being enjoyed by neighbouring countries Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The passing of the bill was seen as must for the Government as it already has in place a work schedule for a new entrant to comply with before the official launch of a second telecommunications provider in April next year.

The government will be put out a tender in mid September for interested telecommunications companies and the winning bidder to announced in October.

Currently the fast growing telecommunications provider in the region, Digicel Pacific, set up a office in the capital Honiara three years ago to work on entering the local market.