Solomon Islands
3.4 Solomon Islands Telecommunications
Home


Telecommunications is not strongly regulated in the Solomon’s. The regulator is Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI).

Our Telekom is the primary telecoms operator, owned by SINPF, BMobile beat Digicel in tendering to be the second operator in the duopoly since 2010 and has been operating as a secondary mobile carrier.

Independent ISPs exist – SatSOL and Hantek are the two operators who sell Internet bandwidth.

The RSIPF has their own radio network that is managed by themselves with aid from the AFP, and the NDMO recently had a CODAN HF system installed as part of a donor project from the World Bank.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.9 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List 

 

Telephone Services

Is there an existing landline telephone network?

Yes

Does it allow international calls?

Yes

Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average)

Generally very reliable

Mobile Phone Providers

Our Telekom, BMobile

Approximate Percentage of National Coverage

 40% by land mass-90% by population

Telecommunication Regulation

Telecommunications regulations in the Solomon Islands controlled by TCSI but very loosely enforced. Unlicensed radios are frequently in use but no action is taken by the authority to keep the spectrum well managed

Regulations on Usage and Import

 

Regulations in Place?

Regulating Authority

Satellite

No

TCSI

HF Radio

Yes

TCSI

UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile

Yes

TCSI

UHF/VHF Repeaters

Yes

TCSI

GPS

No

TCSI

VSAT

No

TCSI

Individual Network Operator Licenses Required

Yes

Frequency Licenses Required

Yes

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Satellite phones and cell phones are the only means of communication used by UN agencies in the Solomon Islands now.

 

UNDP

UNDSS

UNFPA

VHF Frequencies

No

No

No

HF Frequencies

No

No

No

Locations of Repeaters

No

No

No

VSAT

No

No

No

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Internet is available but is extremely slow as the country is still not connected to the Pacific fibre network. This should happen later in 2017 but the connection is politicised and is likely to be a second-rate service. Currently the internet is via satellite – including the O3B network. Our Telekom offers broadband and Wireless data, SatSOL and Hantek offer mobile Wi-Fi AP and dedicated CPE connections.

Internet Service Providers

Are there ISPs available?

Yes

If yes, are they privately or government owned?

Private

Dial-up only?

No

Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $)

Dial-up

$50 per month 

Broadband

$100 per month

Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth

Unknown

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The networks are more reliable these days but still would experience around six hours of outages in a week.

Coverage is good but the cost is high on both operators

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)

Our Telekom

Many in Honiara

Good in Honiara and major cities

No (for all)

Unknown

BeMobile

A few in Honiara

Some in Honiara and outer villages

No

Unknown

Our Telekom coverage as at November 2016 shown below

 



Jump to top