Fiji
Fiji - 3.4 Fiji Telecommunications
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Overview 

Fiji is the hub of the South Pacific telecommunications network and is the focal point of regional business activity. Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) provides all the telecommunication facilities, via the Southern Cross Cable fibre optic network with a 240 Gbps (capacity of new submarine cable system). 

Fiji’s telecommunications infrastructure and improvements in the communication links to the world provides the country with a platform for IT development. Openings in the mobile and VoIP industry complement the business sector with high expectations for front-end and back-end ICT business opportunities. The Government offers ICT incentives and ICT dedicated zones to promote the development of the industry. In addition, ICT stakeholders in Fiji established the ICT Association of Fiji to advocate the acceleration of the ICT industry locally. 

For more information on telecommunications contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List

Telephone Services 

Is there an existing landline telephone network? 

Yes 

Does it allow international calls? 

Yes 

On average, number and length of downtime periods 

N/A 

Mobile phone providers  

Vodafone Fiji 

Digicel 

Inkk Mobile 

Estimated availability and coverage 

N/A 

Telecommunications Regulations 

The Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) is the regulatory authority for all telecommunications matters and has the following functions: 

  • to implement the Telecommunications Policy in accordance with its powers under the Promulgation; 

  • to assist through mediation the resolution of disputes between licensees or between licensees and consumers; 

  • to manage State assets through allocating, assigning and supervising the use of radio spectrum and frequencies; 

  • to manage State assets through allocating, assigning and supervising the use of numbering; 

  • to promote investor confidence relating to telecommunications; 

  • to protect consumer interests and promote consumer awareness relating to telecommunications; 

  • to represent the Government in regional and international organisations and obligations, when the Minister has officially delegated such tasks to the authority; and 

  • to perform any other functions assigned to it under the Promulgation or any other written law. 

“State assets” refers to radio frequency spectrum or the national telephone numbering system and includes any other telecommunication assets prescribed under the Promulgation. 

Regulations 

Regulations on usage or import of: 

Yes / No 

Regulating Authority 

Satellite 

Yes 

TAF 

HF Radio 

Yes 

TAF 

HF/VHF/HF radio: handheld, base and mobile 

Yes 

TAF 

UHF/VHF repeaters 

Yes 

TAF 

GPS 

Yes 

TAF 

  

VSAT 

Yes 

TAF 

IMPORT PERMIT PROCEDURE example (HF) 

The requirements provided below are mandatory and must be fulfilled prior to the issuance of import permit(s) for the importation of mobiles and radio communication devices to be type approved in Fiji. 

1.      Reception of import permit application which contains: 

a.      All technical documentation and invoices of equipment(s) in soft or hard copy. 

b.      To enable TAF to issue an import permit, we require the provision of the brand, model and serial numbers for all mobile phones and radio communication(s) devices for assessment before an import permit can be issued. 

2.      Application fee of FJ$10.90 per model /type approval is paid.  

3.      An import permit fee is levied on all telecommunication and radio communication equipment imported into Fiji. A fee applies to each model assessed for type-approval in respect of the Telecommunication Promulgation 2008 and the Telecommunication (Amendments) Regulation 2008. 

4.      A fee is charged on each equipment assessment that TAF undertakes in response to an application request. This applies to each model assessed and for which a type approval is issued. That fee is $10.90 irrespective of the number of individual handsets associated with that model. As such, a fee is charged on the different types of equipment (models) provided for processing. This is outlined on “Section 29” of the Telecommunication (Amendments) Regulation 2008 (License fee schedule), “for a single request to import radio communication.” 

5. Lead time for such approval is 1 to 2 days. 

6. Payment can be done at: 
a.  All Post Fiji outlets using TMO (Telegraphic Money Order) to GOVERNMENT BUILDING POST OFFICE ONLY. 
After sending the money please fax the TMO receipt and the filled application form to fax number +679 3310110 or email the scanned TMO receipt and the filled application form to tafengineering@taf.org.fj 
b.  The TAF Office located at Level 1, 76 Gordon Street, Suva. Fiji. 

7. Online payments are accepted. 

8. The import permit(s) can be faxed upon request or collected from TAF office. 

Existing Humanitarian Telecommunications Systems 

All humanitarian agencies are using the capacities provided by the companies or governmental agencies in the country. Besides the systems owned by the Government, the Fiji Red Cross Society has HF radio communications and satellite telephones in place. UNDSS and other UN agencies do not operate VHF or HF radio communications. Frequencies for both however, are allocated and licensed available for use.   

Existing UN System 

 

UNDP/UN Licensed to UNDSS 

WFP 

VHF Frequencies 

Rx/Tx 

164.250 

164.300 

169.350 

169.400 

 Same as UNDSS 

HF Frequencies 

Rx/Tx 

6.896 

6.901 

10.175 

11.401.6 

12.165 

12.700 

27.575 

  

Locations of Repeaters 

 None 

  

VSAT 

 Not Available 

  

 

Internet Service Providers 

Are there ISPs available? 

Yes 

If yes, are they privately or government owned? 

Private 

Dial-up only? 

No 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) 

Generally, Fiji is one of the leaders in the telecommunications industry in the Pacific region, along with Papua New Guinea. Like many developing nations, it is heavily reliant on mobile technologies rather than fixed lines. The percentage of unique mobile subscribers in Fiji is around 69%. Vodafone Fiji Limited (VFL) and Digicel Fiji are the major mobile operators and the only mobile virtual network operator is Australian company, Inkk Mobile which operates on VFL’s network. 

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.  

Company 

Number of Agent Outlets by Area 

Network Strength by Area 

Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? 

Services Offered 

(i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) 

Vodafone 

Multiple outlets in main centres countrywide and Nadi Airport 

 See below 

No 

Yes 

(Through M-Paisa) 

Digicel 

Multiple outlets in main centres countrywide and Nadi Airport 

See below 

No 

Yes 

(Through MyCash) 

Inkk 

  

 Same as Vodafone 

No 

Yes 

(Through M-Paisa) 

Digicel and Vodafone have very similar coverage across Fiji. Vodafone has a stronger coverage in the northern Yasawa Islands and around Vanua Levu. Digicel has stronger coverage in some parts of inland Viti Levu. 4G coverage is limited to the main towns and cities of Fiji, where Vodafone’s coverage is a bit more extensive than Digicel. 

Vodafone Network Coverage (2G, 3G and 4G) 

Signal level: Light green: Good / Yellow: Average / Red: Bad

 

image-20230810164856-6

image-20230810164745-4

 

image-20230810164803-5

Digicel Network Coverage 

image-20230810164215-2

image-20230810164215-3 

 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities. 

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

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