PNG Internet Penetration increases as Mobile Broadband Brings Access to the People, Reveals New Report

Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean of Melanesia and only about 160kms north of Australia lies the mainland of Papua New Guinea and around 600 outlying islands.

Subsistence based agricultural products, mining and petroleum products are among the largest export industries. The massive mineral developments planned and in progress over the coming decades require advanced communications that are necessary to trade on the global stage. By mid-2014 the LNG project has now seen its first shipment completed. Although it has been estimated that the project may double the GDP of the country over its operational life, with the construction phase now finalised spending will now be reduced.

The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) - Bemobile/Vodafone and Digicel are both expected to expand their coverage footprints in 2014/15 as they increase the network cells adding to their 3G/4G coverage. In the satellite and submarine communication systems there has been renewed interest as additional satellites are in the planning and the submarine network across the Pacific extends with another link coming to PNG from the Solomon Islands. A number of company takeovers in the satellite sector recent years has also occurred as the operators build increasing market share.

While the fixed-line telephone and broadband market are small, the rollout of the National Transmission Network or (National Broadband Network) will see positive uptake and use of the benefits that can be harnessed through accessibility to the global markets. The NTN/NBN is expected to be nearing its completion by 2017. A wholesale SOE, DataCo will see reductions in access pricing structures as the government is keen to see accessibility available to the people to build skills and enrich its society.

Mobile communications availability is expected to cover 100% of population as Digicel expands its communication towers across the countryside. While SIM penetration is still below 50%, when accessibility is matched with pricing incentives, BuddeComm believes that mobile SIM penetration will dramatically increase. The announcement of the licensing of a third MNOs in 2014 may see further competition in this market.

The regulatory authority NICTA is moving ahead with regulatory changes including the introduction of cyber policies and SIM registrations. The demand for spectrum band licensing is anticipated with upcoming sales, while the restructuring of the incumbent Telikom progresses.

Spanning over 35 pages, “Papua New Guinea - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Market Insights and Statistics” report covering the Executive summary, Key statistics, Country overview, Telecommunications market, Regulatory environment, Fixed network operators in PNG, Telecommunications infrastructure, Broadband and internet access market, Digital Media / Broadcasting, Mobile communications, Digital economy. The report covered companies are - Digicel, Bmobile, Vodafone, Telikom, A-Tel, EMTV, Citifon, DataCo, Hitron, Datec, Pactel, Speedcast NewSat

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