High speed broadband one step closer with the arrival of the submarine cable in Kiribati
KIRITIMATI, KIRIBATI (13 December 2021) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined the BwebwerikiNET Ltd (BNL), the Government of Kiribati and the people of Kiritimati at a ceremony today to celebrate the landing of the fiber optic cable on the island of Kiritimati.
The historic event was witnessed by His Excellency The President of the Republic of Kiribati Mr. Taneti Mamau where the Minister for Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development Mr. Tekeeua Tarati delivered the keynote address, marking the arrival of the cable. Pre-recorded speeches were also delivered by the Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department, Ms. Leah Gutierrez and CEO Southern Cross Cables Limited, Mr. Laurie Miller.
The Improving Internet Connectivity for Micronesia Project supported by ADB helped install a submarine cable connection between Kiritimati Island to a transpacific cable system connecting Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii to gain access to faster and more affordable internet.
Kiritimati government official quote “Kiribati recognizes the significant impact access to high speed and high-quality internet has on the development of a nation. ICTs have enormous potential for socio‐economic development and its capabilities cannot be underestimated especially in cross-sectoral development as it is harnessed in both private and public sectors, be it health, education, agriculture, tourism, governance, finance, disaster management and climate change. ICTs are a key driver” said Honorable Minister Tarati.
A $21.6 million grant from ADB to Kiribati helped finance the Kiritimati cable component of the project.
“The project will deliver affordable, accessible, information and communication technology (ICT) services, which will reduce costs for businesses, governments, and households,” said Ms. Gutierrez. “The project is expected to help businesses expand-creating jobs and improve public service delivery through harnessing ICT.”
Supporting inclusive growth and investment in ICT are key focus areas of ADB’s Pacific Approach which guides ADB’s operational focus in the region.
The cable’s arrival is the latest milestone of the project which will boost Kiribati’s international connectivity, providing widespread social and economic benefits to the people of Kiribati.
The high-speed internet services will be officially launched by the Government in July 2022.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.