SIMBO is one of the small islands in the Western Province that has been enjoying the benefits of a mobile service.
The island was connected to the breeze network some years ago following the April 2007 earthquake and tsunami that struck the province.
The natural disaster has claimed several lives and damaged many homes.
The island is also vulnerable to volcanic eruption because of the presence of a volcanic activity on the Western end of the island.
Simbo consists of two main islands namely Ngarovo and Nusa Simbo.
Because of the vulnerability of the island to these natural hazards the need to establish communication facility on the island was recognised and prioritised by Our Telekom.
Simbo is situated west of Gizo island, the provincial capital and main business hub of the province.
Prior to the installation of the tower on the island the residents have to rely on two wave radio wireless to communicate with their relatives and friends.
And in times of disaster and emergency it can also be very difficult to communicate with the outside world.
The setup of the tower has brought the island into the journey of communication revolution currently experienced in the country as more towers are being established around the country by both Our Telekom and Bmobile/Vodafone.
During my brief visit to the island over the festive season, I was able to benefit from the service to call family members and friends based in Honiara from the island.
This is much better than my own island of Ranogah where those in the Northern end of the island lacks the service.
And so not many people are benefit from the mobile services provided by the two companies.
Although parts of South Ranoggah have enjoyed the service, much of the populated area in the Northern tip of Ranoggah have been struggling to access the service for nearly ten years up till now.
Many of them have to walk to the coast or up the hills to access either of the two networks to make calls.
Today, they are still struggling, although there were promises being to build more towers close in Vella.
But at Simbo, you can see the villagers enjoying the services from the comfort of their homes, inside the plantation, gardens and out in the sea.
The service has also offered extra income for these rural top-up agents because of the demand to top up their credits to make calls.
A resident of the island Lui Likera said, the service has benefited the people alot.
“Villagers can call their loved ones and friends from the island anytime if they need anything.
“Messages are being to be passed on within minutes than in the past which is making life more easier,” he said.
For the nursing officers at Lengana clinic, the presence of the mobile service meant no more reliance on the two-wave radio.
For any emergency medical attention, the officers can contact the medical doctors at Gizo hospital for advice.
Based on the reports relayed by the nurses the medical doctor at Gizo can advice the nurses on what to do.
But if the situation is far worse, then the doctor will advice the nurses for immediate referral to Gizo Hospital for further medical attention.
“So the presence of the mobile services here in Simbo is very helpful to our work here when it comes to dealing with critical cases and getting advice from the doctors in Gizo,” Registered Nurse Rister Rakena told the paper during a visit to the clinic.
For some of the teachers and nurses who have registered under the ANZ Go Money mobile banking, the set up of the tower has also benefited them by ensuring they can be able to check their fortnightly salaries as well as make transfer payments.
The presence of the service had indeed bring some good changes to the people on the island when it comes to communication and doing business.
By MOFFAT MAMU
