Kevin Nyango
TechInPacific – The Alotau District Development Authority is connected to high speed internet connectivity through the Kumul Submarine Cable Network (KSCN). The initiative is made through an initiative by PNG DataCo’s customer services. The initiative will benefit DDA as the first district government body to get the high-speed internet network.
The KSCN is provided through fiber cabling, allowing the residents in the district to enjoy high speed and stable internet connectivity to access online information as well as communicate and run operations more efficiently and effectively.
Furthermore, the KSCN uncovers great opportunities for the DDA to be innovative and implement e-government applications and services for the districts’ residents.
The government is currently introducing e-government applications and services in Port Moresby. However there is a challenge needs to address which is how to make the services available and accessible to the districts.
The KSCN is benefited for the DDA but also some government initiatives, like the PNG National Identification registry program, the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS), the Government’s Alesco pay system, as well as the integrated Government Information System (IGIS).
According to the Managing Director of PNG DataCo, Paul Komboy, the new submarine cable network will enable the extension of broadband services on a better and stable network to townships.
“While we serve the ICT providers to serve the general populace, we are also obligated to do our part to ensure that our government and its people benefit from this infrastructure at the locations that we are now connected to,” Komboi said.
He added, “Since the brining into use of this network, there has been a lot of interest in the townships of Alotau, Popondetta, Lae and Madang from the provincial governments and the districts as well as localised Internet Service Providers.”
Alotau District Administrator, Lindsey Alesana said that the district was being appreciative to the initiative taken by the government in order to improve communications sector. Alesanasaid that it aligned well with their five year District Development Plan.
“We can now promote SME business through internet as a platform such as e-tourism, e-agriculture, e-health e-education,” he concluded.
