Telecom Fiji rolls out Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and expands fiber network coverage throughout Fiji
Telecom Fiji is pleased to announce that it has commenced deployment of its Ultra-Fast Fiber broadband (UFF) service to customers in Bayview and Namadi Heights in Suva. The service is enabled by Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology, whereby Telecom’s fiber optic cables will be extended right inside the individual homes, delivering internet speeds of up to 150Mbps initially, which can be upgraded in future to speeds of up to 1,000Mbps (1Gbps).
“Fiber-to-the-Home is part of Telecom Fiji’s long-term investment and broadband strategy, to bring the same level of communication services as found in other developed countries. High-speed internet access is critical for economic growth, and improving the quality of life in our communities. We are focusing strongly on a “fiber-in, copper-out” model, starting off from selective areas in Suva as Phase 1 and gradually expanding out into other towns throughout Fiji. This is a very ambitious project for the company, enabling not only very high speed broadband service to customers, but also providing greater operational efficiency through more reliable service, reduced truck-roll and allowing for Telecom to introduce other content-based service bundles in near future” said Mr. Charles Goundar, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Fiji Limited. “We are proud to be bringing this long-awaited technology to our customers in Fiji. FTTH will provide a totally new internet experience, especially in terms of streaming ultra-high definition movies via YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, on-line gaming and downloading.” Mr. Goundar further added.
At this stage, Telecom is expecting to enable Home Pass for all 200 plus homes in Bayview Heights by end of August, and 1,000 plus homes in Namadi Heights by end of September.
“Home Pass is whereby we extend fiber along all the streets in an area, deploying all necessary external network equipment and fiber accessories, and make provision for each home to be connected to fiber. When customers subscribe to fiber plans, fiber optic connection will be extended from the fiber chamber outside the premises to inside the home and the service will be activated,” added Mr. Goundar.
Telecom’s fiber engineering team began planning and design works for the fiber network infrastructure early this year, and conducted preparatory ground works in both the areas to enable successful deployment of FTTH.
Existing Telecom & Connect customers in these areas will be offered flexible upgrade options to move to fiber plans, and can expect a vast difference in service quality once services are migrated onto fiber. New customers can easily apply for UFF broadband service through online applications on Telecom Fiji website.
“We also wish to encourage all customers and building contractors who are in the process of constructing new homes, apartment blocks or residential sub-divisions to please liaise with Telecom Fiji and our engineers will be able to assist with any provisions to ensure that your home and individual blocks in an apartment or residential area is fiber-ready,” added Mr. Goundar.
Another milestone achievement for Telecom Fiji was the successful completion and commissioning of the Rakiraki to Korovou fiber project which involved laying backbone network infrastructure along a track of 90 kilometres. Telecom Fiji embarked on this strategic project in September, 2017 in its continuous endeavour to not only improve the overall resilience and reliability of its national high speed backbone network, but to also provide affordable telecommunications services to communities along this under-served corridor.
The project involved deployment of 90km of underground optic fibre infrastructure from Korovou to Rakiraki along Kings Road, a significant addition to Telecom’s existing optic fibre network of over 1,500km that mainly covers the Queen’s Road corridor and business centric areas.
“Given the complex terrain, this section of Kings Road has always been challenging for operators in terms of providing seamless telecommunication services, but now Telecom will be able to provide backhaul services to other operators that intend to provide ICT services along this corridor,” Mr Goundar further added.
The project is also aligned to government’s national broadband plan and ICT policies that aim to bridge the digital gap in the country by ensuring that all communities in Fiji have access to efficient and affordable ICT and broadband services.
Furthermore, Telecom Fiji has recently formed partnership with Walesi to provide fiber connectivity to Wi-Fi hotspots around the country under Fiji Governments Digital Fiji initiative, to ensure people are able to enjoy high speed internet access. Some of the identified sites have been covered while Telecom team is working closely with Walesi team to get rest of the sites completed at the earliest.