Government opens up telecommunications sector

Government has opened up the telecommunications sector.

Currently, Government is in the process of negotiating a compensation package for the monopoly provider of telecommunications services in the country, with the assistance of technical experts from the World Bank. This is expected to be completed by 20 November 2007.

Compensation may be in cash or other form.

The three companies that currently hold exclusive licenses in the telecommunications sector in Fiji are FINTEL (international calls), Telecom Fiji (domestic fixed line) and Vodafone (mobile).

The opening of the telecommunications sector will bring in more competition as more players are permitted to set up operations in Fiji.

Internet rates still to fall

Internet charges by the various Internet Service Providers operating in Fiji are still to come down after the Commerce Commission ruling recently.

While the telephone and mobile telecommunications providers, Vodafone Fiji and Telecom Fiji, have reduced their rates from 1 October 2007, Connect Fiji, Kidanet and Unwired Fiji are still to reduce their charges for Internet.

Telecommunications, Internet and utilities make up a major proportion of the costs of running a business in Fiji.

We would expect the rates charged by the various Internet Service Providers to fall over the next few days.

Inter-region call rates down by 10%

Telecom Fiji's Inter-region call rates fell by 10% with effect from 1 October 2007. The new call rates are :

• Inter-region (e.g. Suva-Nadi, Suva-Labasa, Labasa-Lautoka) - 20.76 cents per minute from 23.06 cents per minute;
• Fixed line to mobile - 50.12 cents per minute from 55.69 cents per minute.

For more information, pls visit Telecom Fiji's website on http://www.tfl.com.fj/.

Telecommunications rates fall from today

Telecommunication rates fall with effect from today, 1 October 2007. Here is information mobile telecommunications rates for Postpay customers :

• Mobile to Mobile, 16 cents per minute from 18 cents per minute;
• Mobile to Fixed Line, 41 cents per minute from 46 cents per minute;
• Voicemail, remains at 9 cents per minute;
• TXT messages, remains at 20 cents per message;
• Mobile to International, 41 cents per minute + IDD rate, from 46 cents per minute + IDD rate.

New Telecom Fiji international call rates are as follows :

• calls to Zone Z (e.g. Australia, NZ) - 60.03 cents per minute from 75.04 cents per minute;
• calls to Zone V (to toehr South Pacific countries) - 75.23 cents per minute from 94.04 cents per minute;
• calls to Zone Y (e.g. China, France, Japan) - 75.23 cents per minute from 94.04 cents per minute;
• calls to Zone M (e.g. Australia, NZ mobiles) - 83.59 cents per minute from $1.0449 per minute;
• calls to Zone X (e.g. Bahamas, India, Turkey) - $1.1399 per minute from $1.4248 per minute;
• calls to Zone W (e.g. Kenya, Palau, Vietnam) - $1.5122 per minute from $1.8902 per minute;
• calls to Zone I (Inmarsat) - $13.50 per minute from $16.8750 per minute.

Figures are provided in Fijian Dollars and cents. For more information, pls visit the two companies' respective websites on http://www.vodafone.com.fj/ and http://www.tfl.com.fj/.