People living in remote communities in Fiji will soon have access to reliable, high-speed internet connectivity following the launch of the National Universal Service initiative by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka this morning.
While launching the initiative at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Rabuka said geography should not determine a Fijian’s access to opportunity.
He said the initiative is intended to create a more competitive, innovative and resilient region, where connectivity supports equitable development and enables communities to contribute more fully to national progress.
Rabuka said telecommunications infrastructure should ultimately serve as a tool to improve people’s lives, rather than simply increase the number of connected locations.
He said while Fiji has developed strong digital connectivity in major urban centres such as Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa, many communities in the interior and outer islands continue to face barriers because of their distance and the high cost of conventional telecommunications infrastructure.
He said the initiative will help close these gaps.
The Prime Minister said the initiative is aligned with the National Development Plan 2025–2029, Vision 2050 and Fiji’s National Digital Strategy, which seek to expand digital access and ensure all Fijians can participate in the modern economy.
He added that the programme is already delivering significant results, with 114 operational sites established across Kadavu, Tailevu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Namosi and Navosa, bringing more than 2,557 households online.
He said more than 11,000 Fijians now have direct access to the digital world.
Rabuka said the impact goes beyond the statistics, with students in remote communities able to access online educational resources without having to move to urban centres.
He said farmers can communicate directly with buyers, while fishermen can access marine weather information before going to sea.
Small business operators can also use digital payments and reach customers beyond their villages.
Rabuka said the initiative is expected to make Government services more accessible, reducing the financial and logistical burden traditionally faced by people living in remote areas.
He said stronger connectivity will also improve disaster preparedness by allowing communities to receive early warnings and coordinate responses during cyclones and other natural disasters.
However, the Prime Minister warned that greater connectivity also brings risks, including online scams, cyberbullying and misinformation.
He said digital literacy and responsible internet use will therefore be important as more Fijians come online.
Rabuka said the National Universal Service is more than a telecommunications project.
He said it is intended to reduce the disadvantages of remoteness, strengthen local economies and ensure Fiji’s digital future reaches communities beyond the country’s towns and cities.
