Salutation
- Honourable Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament;
- Chairman and Board Members of the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji;
- Leaders and Representatives of the Participating Provinces of Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Namosi and Navosa;
- Chief Executive Officers and Representatives of our Telecommunications Service Providers and Industry Partners;
- Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
- Senior Government Officials;
- Distinguished Guests;
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.
Let me first begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva and I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.
I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua, we remain grateful for their custodianship, which allows us to convene for this important occasion and celebrate this important milestone.
Launching “Beyond Connected”
- Today, we launch the National Universal Service Scheme under the theme, “Beyond Connected.”
- This is an important step in ensuring that the benefits of national development reach every part of Fiji. It is about more than extending a communications signal. It is about giving every Fijian—regardless of where they live—the opportunity to learn, access services, build a livelihood and participate in our nation’s future.
- As Fiji works towards a high-income economy by 2050 and sustained economic growth, digital inclusion will remain a vital enabler of productivity, innovation and national cohesion.
- Rural, maritime and remote communities have enormous potential to contribute to this ambition. Our responsibility is to ensure that distance, terrain and isolation do not limit that contribution.
Connecting Communities to Opportunity
- Through the Universal Service Scheme, Government is responding to a longstanding development challenge. Across six provinces, 114 operational sites have been established, connecting more than 2,557 households and providing over 11,000 Fijians with access to digital services and new opportunities.
- These sites will support practical outcomes for our people: improved access to online learning, telehealth, government services, banking and digital payments, disaster information, and new markets for farmers, fishers, artisans and small businesses.
- This is how connectivity can strengthen local enterprise, improve service delivery and build more resilient communities.
- The value of this investment, however, will not be measured by infrastructure alone. It will be measured by the knowledge acquired, enterprises created, services accessed and opportunities realised by our people.
Ensuring Meaningful Digital Inclusion
- Our work must extend beyond coverage. We must ensure that services are affordable, reliable and safe, and that communities have the skills and confidence to use them effectively.
- This includes supporting women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities, small businesses and community leaders to participate fully in an increasingly digital society.
- Digital literacy, online safety, consumer protection and the protection of personal information are essential to meaningful inclusion. As more Fijians come online, we must also help communities guard against scams, misinformation and other online harms. Technology must empower our people, not expose them to new risks.
Building Resilient Communities
- Connectivity is equally important to national resilience. Reliable communications enable communities to receive timely information and remain connected during emergencies.
- As a climate-vulnerable island nation, we must continue to strengthen network resilience, backup arrangements and emergency communications so that communities can prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Recognising Partnership and Community Leadership
- I acknowledge the leadership of our Turaga ni Vanua, Provincial Councils, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, village youth groups, community leaders and local communities. Their participation and ownership will be essential to the long-term success and sustainability of these services.
- I also extend the appreciation of the Government and the people of Fiji to the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji, telecommunications service providers and all delivery partners. Your expertise, investment and commitment have helped translate policy into practical outcomes for our communities.
- This achievement demonstrates what is possible when Government, industry, traditional institutions and communities work together in a common purpose. It also reflects our shared responsibility to ensure that development is inclusive, responsive and enduring.
Delivering Quality and Accountability
- The encouraging uptake of these services—including approximately 57 terabytes of data usage in July—and system availability of 96 percent demonstrate the growing importance of connectivity in daily life and economic activity.
- As we progress, Government and its partners will continue to strengthen service quality, maintenance, fault response and accountability, so that communities can rely on these services over the long term.
- We will also measure success not only by the number of communities connected, but by the impact on people’s lives: improved education and health outcomes, stronger enterprises, better access to public services, increased participation in the digital economy and greater resilience at community level.
The Next Phase of Delivery
- Today’s launch is not the end of this journey. Phase II will extend services to a further 104 unserved sites, while an additional 311 communities are being assessed for future inclusion.
- This reflects the scale of our ambition and our determination to ensure that no community is left beyond the reach of opportunity.
- Government remains steadfast in advancing the National Digital Strategy, including digital inclusion, cyber resilience and improved service quality.
- This commitment is supported by the Telecommunications Act Review, the continued rollout of 5G and enhanced 4G connectivity, and the ongoing finalisation of the National Rural Development Policy.
- Together, these efforts will help build a more competitive, innovative and resilient Fiji—one in which connectivity supports equitable development and every community is equipped to contribute to national progress.
Conclusion and Official Launch
- Today, we reaffirm a fundamental principle of nation-building: development must improve the lives of our people. Infrastructure connects communities, but it is opportunity, empowerment and human potential that define progress.
- It is therefore my distinct honour, on behalf of the Government and the people of Fiji, to officially launch the National Universal Service Scheme under the theme, “Beyond Connected.”
- May these connections strengthen our communities, empower our people and contribute to a more resilient, prosperous and united Fiji for generations to come.
- May God bless you all, and may God bless Fiji.
- Vinaka vakalevu, dhanyavaad and thank you.
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