AUSTRALIAN High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Lachlan Strahan says the 730km submarine fibre optic cable will bring significant benefits to the people of Choiseul Province through faster internet use.
He made the remarks at the officially commissioning of the Taro cable landing station early this week.
The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare along with Dr Strahan visited Taro on Monday to officially open the station.
Taro is the third cable landing station in the Solomon Islands Domestic Network.
The station houses the transmission equipment for the Taro portion of the Solomon Islands Domestic Network. As such, it is a vital part of the Network – a 730km submarine fibre optic cable that links Taro, Noro and Auki to Honiara, and then Honiara to Sydney via the Coral Sea Cable System.
Speaking at the event, Dr Strahan said the cable would significantly increase internet usage and allow people living in Taro to access online learning and professional development opportunities, and improved government and health services.
“As a result of the enhanced connectivity the cable will bring Taro faster, cheaper and more reliable internet than ever before,” he said.
Returning to his home province, the Prime Minister Sogavare spoke of the many benefits that the cable would bring to the people of Choiseul, and of this important collaboration with Australia.
Also in attendance were the Minister for Finance and Treasury, the Harry Kuma, Minister for Communication and Aviation, the Peter Shanel, the Member for South Choiseul, the Robertson Galokale, the Premier of Choiseul Province Watson Qoloni, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Her Excellency Georgina Roberts and members of the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Board.
The Solomon Islands Domestic Network is part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to the Pacific, and in particular driving prosperity in regional areas such as Choiseul Province.
On 29 November 2019, once the cable construction was completed, ownership of the Coral Sea Cable was transferred to the Coral Sea Cable Company, a company jointly owned by PNG, Australia and Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands Domestic Network is now owned by the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company (SISCC), and SISCC will receive all revenue generated by the international and domestic cables in Solomon Islands.
Both the Coral Sea Cable System and the Solomon Islands Domestic Network are majority grant financed by Australia and reflect Australia’s stepped up engagement in the Pacific.
Customers are expected to be able to access better and cheaper services in early 2020.
