Students in 45 off-grid schools will have access to solar-powered electricity and Starlink internet under the Renew Pacific programme over the next two years, with nearby communities also set to benefit from internet access.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts highlighted this in a panel discussion during the National Cyber Security Resilience Convention 2026, stressing that as more communities gain access to the internet for the first time, appropriate cybersecurity safeguards must also be put in place to ensure their safety.
He says the programme includes systems that provide community safety and place limits on how the internet can be used.
Roberts says countries need to be careful when introducing new technologies because of the potential impacts they can have on communities.
He says investment decisions should not only focus on responding to existing challenges but also on building resilience.
Roberts says when countries invest in infrastructure, they must look beyond the price and consider whether the systems being introduced are secure, vulnerable to cyber threats or suitable for their needs.
He says these considerations are crucial to strengthening the resilience of countries and businesses.
Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua says technology, policy and people are the three key areas that will shape Fiji's digital future.
He says Fiji needs forward-looking laws and policies aligned with its national digital strategy, alongside stronger cybersecurity and resilience measures.
The Minister says investing in young people is also important as they will lead the country into the future.
He says technology, policy and people are key to Fiji's way forward.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea's Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Robert Naguri says Pacific countries need to strengthen cooperation and information-sharing to address cybersecurity threats across the region.
He says discussions at the Pacific ICT Conference and a subsequent meeting of the Pacific cybersecurity network focused on understanding the challenges, policies and strategies of individual Pacific countries.
Naguri says it is important for countries to identify where cyberattacks are coming from, who is responsible and why they are being carried out.
He says the same individuals or groups could potentially be targeting multiple Pacific countries, making information-sharing essential.
The Minister says while countries need to improve connectivity and grow their economies, they must also ensure their communication systems are safe, secure and resilient.
