Due to the large geographical area of the country, the use of VHF and HF radio is widespread and often the only means of communications when on the outer islands/atolls. Kili Island, Jaluit, Rongelap, Wotje, and Bikini Atolls have cell phone/satellite phone/fax systems available. International Roaming services are available from some countries and with some service providers. Local SIM cards and cell (mobile) phone rental services are also available for purchase or hire. Most accommodation providers offer Wi-Fi access areas.

An in-country assessment was conducted from the 17th February to 4th March 2023. As a result, the below Operational Emergency ICT Infrastructure was identified.

The assessment concluded that there were no back-up emergency communications links available between the NDMO Majuro and Ebeye offices, nor between NDM and NDC members. The World Bank funded PREP II project, amongst other preparedness activities, is in the process of upgrading the NDMO’s HF and VHF capacity, with radios being installed on all atolls and populated islands. The goal is to deploy 80% of these by the end of 2023.

Ongoing projects to upgrade ICT capacity:

• National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Very High Frequency (VHF) repeater and High Frequency (HF) network, which will be installed country-wide through the World Bank funded Pacific Resilience Project- Phase 2  (PREP II), with 80% implementation planned by the end of 2023 should be used as central point of emergency communications between National Disaster Committee (NDC) members and their partners.
• The NDMO National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Majuro requires a 100 ft (or similar) mast to be installed (to provide better coverage for its future radio bases), a back-up generator and solar-power, these items will be provided during the PREP II project implementation.
• A dedicated Iridium satphone including docking station should be permanently installed in NDMO Majuro and Ebeye. Three Iridium PTT devices, including docking stations have been donated and were shipped to Majuro and Ebeye in March 2023 by WFP.
• A Thuraya IP+ data terminal should be available to NDMO in both Majuro and Ebeye, providing data access during rapid emergency deployment. Two units have been donated and sent to Majuro, March 2023 by WFP.

National Telecommunications Authority (NTA)

The NTA was established in 1987 and privatised in 1991. It still is majority owned by the national government. NTA is the only Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and Internet Service Provider (ISP) in RMI, with existing 2G, 3G and LTE services, with 5G planned for 2024.  They also provide internet via DSL, and fibre optics to Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit, Kili and Wotje. On the outer islands NTA has installed DAMA systems. This system consists of a small VSAT- 512kbps up to 1Mbps links, wifi access points, a laptop connected to the internet and a phone, its installed in 70 schools around the country. The system is solar powered. Due to the harsh environment (salt water, high humidity), the system tends to break down. Therefore, the DAMA installations require a lot of maintenance. NTA sends out their maintenance teams every 3 months for maintenance and servicing.

The data backbone to the country is provided through the HANTRU-1 submarine cable from Guam installed in 2009. It has its cable landing directly to the NTA building in Majuro and provides a 6 Gbps link. A further onward cable is laid and links Majuro to Ebeye, with 2 Gbps capacity. There is no redundancy loops or links, a single point of failure exists if the Guam link fails. A VSAT based redundancy in Majuro is provided with a dedicated 100 Mbps satellite-based back-up, bandwidth can be scaled up at short notice in times of emergencies or undersea cable faults. The NTA back-up VSAT in Ebeye hasn’t worked in 6 years.

NTA has signed the Satellite Crisis Connectivity Charter and is a member of the GSM association (GSMA).

NTA also provides IPTV services via its MHTV+ platform, offering 4K HDR, 45 channels. On-Demand allows users to browse freely to watch news, movies, sports, and live events.  NTA launched this service in December 2021.

A bulk SMS system type Emergency Cellular Broadcast (ECB) system is being used. Several government services utilise mass texting. The system is being used as an early warning system (EWS) by NDMO free of charge and has the capacity to reach 15 to 20 thousand people. For mobile money service, NTA is only providing the network to allow customers of the Bank of Marshall via SMS to conduct monetary transactions.

The NTA building in Majuro is connected to mains power and has generator backup. There are two generators available, a 320 and 400 Kva. The building has a full UPS back-up system as well.

A HF base is operational in Majuro and Ebeye, both are Icom IC-718’s. The Majuro station (callsign V7AY65) is operational between 07:00 and 21:00 or on 24/7 bases in case of an emergency. Currently all emergency communication goes via the NTA station, while the crisis room is based at NDMO. Communication between both buildings is via email and phone only.

The mast for the HF antenna in Majuro is old and appears very flimsy. The radio is monitoring 6805 KHz for incoming calls from the outer islands. The radio is connected to a power supply and to the back-up supply of the building. There is no lightning arrestor, nor grounding installed for the HF radio.

There are two Iridium satellite phones available for use in the NTA radio room.

NTA is looking into telecommunication solutions for emergency preparedness. They have no Pacific wide HF network in place, though there is one being established through the UNDP/Japanese Government funded project Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience (EDCR) and is operational in Guam, Palau, Kosrae, Chuuk and Pohnpei.  NTA is a member of PITA.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link:

4.11 Additional Services Contact List