TELIKOM, VODAFONE PNG STRIKE TOWER DEAL TO EXTEND RURAL COVERAGE

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

IN a significant development for Papua New Guinea’s telecommunications sector, Telikom Limited and Vodafone PNG have formalized a partnership to share network infrastructure.

The two service providers signed a historic co-location agreement this morning at the Telikom Rumana building in Port Moresby.

The ceremony was witnessed by officials from the National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA), the country’s industry regulator.

Under the new agreement, both operators will utilize the same physical towers, significantly reduce capital expenditure and allow for a more aggressive expansion strategy.

Vodafone PNG Resident Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Pradeep Lal, stated that the infrastructure-sharing model will apply to both existing structures and future towers, particularly as the companies expand into underserved rural areas.

“The end benefit is that customers will get bigger network coverage, better network reliability, better service quality, and more choice,” Mr. Lal stated.

While Telikom and Vodafone will collaborate on physical infrastructure, both CEOs clarified that the two entities will remain independent and highly competitive in the commercial market.

The agreement is expected to benefit consumers by driving enhanced service quality and network stability, increased product innovation as both firms vie for market share and more affordable pricing structures for voice and data services
The agreement concludes a lengthy negotiation process that initially commenced in 2022.

Telikom Chief Executive Officer, Amos Tepi, said the partnership directly supports the National Government’s ongoing digital transformation agenda, as well as NICTA’s broader connectivity goals.

Robertson Asari, NICTA’s Director for Digital Transformation, commended both organizations for the initiative.
He reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to fostering a sustainable telecommunications market that drives nationwide digital grow