Report on satellite networks in the Asia Pacific Region

A consultancy on the Use and Application of satellite Networks in the Pacific Region was completed in June 2007. The resulting report consists of an interim report, a final report and satellite coverage maps, and provides an overview of the current operation of the satellite market in the Asia Pacific Region. The focus of the consultancy was on the countries of the Pacific Island Forum, excluding the developed economies of Australia and New Zealand. These are the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu.

Key findings include:

• The challenges faced by the communications sector in the Pacific region, due to large distances, small low density populations, low incomes and lack of local expertise.
• The Pacific Region’s continued dependence on satellite communications.
• A number of practical strategies to improve affordability and accessibility in the region. This includes demand aggregation to gain more bargaining power for island countries negotiating with satellite service providers, harmonising key regulatory requirements, encouraging cooperation on a range of technical choices and developing community access programmes.

• Document ID: 83815 |
• Last modified: 15 May 2008, 8:46pm