AUSTRALIA TO SUPPORT PNG TELECOMMUNICATIONS BLUEPRINT

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

AUSTRALIA will support Papua New Guinea in developing its telecommunications blueprint, aimed at promoting competition and improving access to affordable internet services for people and businesses.

The announcement was made by PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko during a press conference following the 32nd PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby on Tuesday, October 20.

The two countries signed a 50-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the forum, providing an overarching framework for cooperation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Minister Tkatchenko said Australia’s support for the telecommunications blueprint would help promote competition in the sector and put downward pressure on internet prices.

“The support from Australia will help to create competition. Competition is healthy for business; it helps to keep prices down,” he said.

He said the telecommunications blueprint would soon be made public for consultation.

Tkatchenko added that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and relevant State-Owned Enterprises would work together in the coming weeks and months to formalise the arrangements and address challenges affecting the ICT sector.

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said limited internet connectivity was holding back PNG’s development and the delivery of essential services, including healthcare. She said Australia was committed to working with PNG to address these challenges.

The proposed blueprint is expected to support economic growth, improve connectivity between urban and rural communities, encourage competition among telecommunications providers and strengthen national security.