We Top In Oceania, Third In The World, For Cheapest Data – Fiji Sun Online

Three local telecommunications companies have applauded Fijis ranking as the cheapest internet service provider in Oceania, and third in the world. The findings were released by United Kingdom company Cable.co.uk

Three local telecommunications companies have applauded Fijis ranking as the cheapest internet service provider in Oceania, and third in the world.

The findings were released by United Kingdom company Cable.co.uk offers information that allows consumers to quickly and easily compare costs and features of a wide range of broadband, digital television and home phone packages.

The company collects and reports on the cost of internet connection from 230 countries in the world.

Cable.co.uk looks at the countries with the cheapest cost in US dollars.

This year, it showed Fiji topped the list for the cheapest cost for one gigabyte of data on Oceania.

Australia, Samoa in third, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu made the top five countries with the cheapest costs, all charging less than US$1 (FJ$2.09) for one gigabyte of data, the report said.

Digicel FijiDigicel Fiji chief executive officer, Farid Mohammed said since its entry into the Fiji market, Digicel has revolutionised the telecom sector.

First, it was slashing of voice and SMS rates, making mobile communication affordable to every Fijian, Mr Mohammed said.

This time last year, Digicel embarked on data deals that remained unbeaten, he said.

Digicel launched its All In campaign with data monthly plans starting from $10 for 30 gigabytes Gb for 30 days, he said.

This gives customers an effective rate of $0.33 per gigabyte.

In addition, customers also get free data for Digicel apps.

If customers buy the $15 for 75 gigabytes plan, the effective rate remains at $0.20, he said.

It further drops to less than $0.16 cents when customers buy the $20 for 120 gigabytes plan for 30 days. , Mr Mohammed said.

Digicel customers enjoy the best rates from entry level, and it only gets better as their usage increases.

This is the reason Fiji tops the list when it comes to data rates around the globe.

Mr Mohammed said the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented data usage as more Fijians worked from home.

The other contributing factor included children attending online classes from home, he said.

Fijis ranking among its Pacific counterparts was also enabled through Digicels commitment to continue investing in its network, Mr Mohammed said.

The Fijian Governments vision of being digital has also seen the regulation of Fiji International Telecommunications Limited (FINTEL) landing station charges for offshore connectivity, he said.

Telecom FijiFijis only fiber optic provider, Telecom Fiji, said it would continue to invest heavily in fiber optic and LTE 4G + infrastructure to support the ever growing demand for data in Fiji.

Manager marketing, Berlinda Williams, said the investment in infrastructure was a means of ensuring customers received the best quality and premium broadband service for homes and offices.

We also ensure those services remain affordable, she said.

For our residential customers, our broadband plans start from $15 to $199 a month.

We are pleased that Telecom is the only provider offering unlimited broadband plans in Fiji.

Ms Williams said Telecom will continue to expand its network coverage and fiber to the home footprint in other residential areas.

Vodafone FijiVodafone Fiji acting chief executive officer, Rajnesh Prasad, said the findings of the report were no surprise.

Fiji ranks the cheapest in data charges amongst the Oceania countries and the third cheapest in the world as per the worldwide survey on data charges conducted by cable.co.uk, he said.

The comparative data rates published by an independent and reputable international organisation provides a fair and unbiased assessment of data charges in Fiji.

At this time during the pandemic when there is great reliance on technology and digital platforms to conduct business transactions, provide remote learning, health and medical advisories as well as information and entertainment, we are pleased to be rated amongst the most affordable data networks in the world.

The ReportMeanwhile, Tonga ranked 10th, while New Zealand at number 11, was charging an average of US$1.22 (FJ$2.55) for one gigabyte of data, the report said.

Cook Islands ranked 13th with $1.49 USD.

Niue at number 18 charged around US$4.48 (FJ$9.38) for one gigabyte of data, the report said.

Tuvalu ranked number 19.

Nauru at number 20 charged AUS$7.62 (FJ$11.60) for one gigabyte of data.

Cocos Islands is ranked 20th and the Oceania country with the most expensive internet data is Tokelau with NZ$15.54 (FJ$22.86) for one gigabyte of data.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj

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We Top In Oceania, Third In The World, For Cheapest Data - Fiji Sun Online