Telecom Vanuatu Launches New Fiber Link in Luganville During ICT Day

Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) is set to launch its new fiber-optic link tomorrow as part of the ICT Day celebrations in Luganville.

The main reason behind this upgrade is fiber’s superior efficiency compared to existing copper landlines. The fiber-optic network will provide significant benefits to customers along the central business district (CBD), especially along the main highway from TVL House near Sarakata to the Shell area next to Samansen Wharf.

As Vanuatu’s long-established telecommunications provider, TVL is capitalizing on its strong business presence in both Port Vila and Luganville’s CBD, where it remains the only provider of both copper and fiber-optic landline services.

“Currently, we are experiencing connectivity issues with our copper cables during rainy weather, which affects service quality. We want to improve this for our customers,” said Palash Bwomik, TVL’s National Sales Manager.

Since Vanuatu ended its telecommunications monopoly in 2007, new providers have emerged, with Digicel quickly becoming dominant in mobile coverage through its entry following TVL’s earlier ‘Smile’ network. However, competition has grown, and TVL’s ‘Smile’ network has since expanded to offer customers a more balanced choice.

From a rural perspective, both companies are helping to bridge the digital divide and improving livelihoods through better connectivity.

Today, I had the opportunity to tour East Santo with Mr. Palash Bwomik to assess TVL’s mobile customer base and identify service improvement opportunities for communities in Port Olry and Hog Harbour.

“Port Olry, which has the second-highest village population in Vanuatu after Mele on Efate, has seen limited engagement from TVL in recent years. We are now working to re-establish and strengthen our customer base here,” said Sales Consultant Ms. Esther Mahit.

Although TVL’s ‘Smile’ was the first to establish mobile coverage in Port Olry, their signal around Hog Harbour has been weak due to the distance and surrounding terrain. “We’ve already surveyed a new site on Elephant Island, just off Hog Harbour, and the planned tower there will improve network coverage for both villages,” she added.

Tomorrow at La Plage, during ICT Day, TVL will officially launch its new fiber link and showcase a range of products, including mobile smartphones, home-use mobile devices, and their Flybox promotion. The Flybox is a 3G indoor unit with 30GB data allowance and a speed of 1 Mbps, available for 12,000 VT (device) and 7,000 VT monthly.