Vodafone Cook Islands has switched its internet services for the Cook Islands from Tahiti over to the new ‘western route’ of the Manatua-One Polynesia cable system to Sydney.
This will further secure trans-Pacific connectivity into the future and deliver fast, reliable broadband to local operators in the Cook Islands. It also marks a key step in the development of the Cook Islands’ digital economy, with important new e-services in critical sectors such as health and education now anticipated.
In late September 2022, Avaroa Cable completed the commissioning of a new route on the Manatua-One Polynesia cable system to Sydney following months of cooperation with the Samoa Submarine Cable Company, Hawaiki Cable, Ciena and Equinix.
Honourable Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, said: “The opening up of the western route on the Manatua cable system to Sydney is another significant milestone of the government’s effort in this sector. It follows on from the establishment of the Manatua Consortium, landing of the cables and the formation of Avaroa Cable Limited, the deregulation of the telecommunications sector and the establishment of the Competition Regulatory Authority.”
“This western link is a critical step towards both our country’s post-pandemic recovery and Government achieving the goals and visions of the NSDA 2020+ and the Economic Development Strategy 2030, where every Cook Islander has equal access to basic services and economic opportunities”.
Vodafone Cook Islands CEO, Phillip Henderson said: “The Western Route has been in the pipeline for some time and we are pleased that Avaroa Cable has been able to secure this preferred route which enables Vodafone to procure increased capacity and connect to content and services more relevant to our customer community…in conjunction with the opening of the western route, Vodafone has also increased and extended its wholesale supply agreement with Avaroa Cable.”
