Solomon Islands Broadband Tower Company coming soon
SOLOMON Islands Government will establish a new state-owned enterprise (SOE) ‘Solomon Islands Broadband Tower Company’ to look after the 161 towers to be built around the country.
This was revealed by the Minister of Communication and Aviation (MCA) in response to a question raised by the Opposition leader Matthew Wale in parliament during the committee of supply stage debate of the 2023 budget.
Peter Shanel Agovaka said, the ownership of the towers will come under the responsibility of this new SOE to be called ‘Solomon Islands Broadband Tower Company’ which will be established soon under the Companies Act.
“This new SOE will be established and hold in trust the responsible to keep the towers,” he said.
Minister Agovaka said, for the 2023 fiscal year work on constructing the first-year towers will start in Honiara, Guadalcanal and Ngella.
From there it will move to other islands and provinces like Choiseul, Temotu, Shortlands and Makira.
Erection of towers in other provinces will continue as the project progresses.
But the Opposition Leader suggested that its important for the project to start at the isolated provinces first before moving into to centres like Honiara.
“This is because Honiara and the surrounding provinces have already enjoyed much improved services and other telecommunication benefits,” he said.
Minister Agovaka said, a number of agreements have already been signed for the project to commence.
He added, that a deal with Our Telekom was already signed and discussion will be held soon with bmobile for a similar deal.
Once completed the towers will be used by the two service providers for telecommunication purposes.
Government wants most of the towers to completed in time before the Pacific Games November next year.
By MOFFAT MAMU
Solomon Star, Gizo
