The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has welcomed the news that Starlink, the LEOsat operator, has acquired licences to operate in Fiji. This development is expected to boost competition and make the digital economy more inclusive.

Starlink (Fiji) Pte Limited has been granted a telecommunications licence from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji and a spectrum licence from the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, according to Island News.

The FCCC released a statement expressing its support for Starlink’s entry into the market. It highlighted that this move will bridge Fiji’s digital divide and promote economic growth, particularly in remote regions of the archipelago.

The CEO of FCCC, Joel Abraham, emphasized the significance of the expanded connectivity that Starlink will bring. It will enable residents in rural and maritime areas to actively participate in the digital economy, gain access to online education, and benefit from telehealth services.

Abraham also pointed out that Starlink’s presence will introduce healthy competition into Fiji’s broadband market. This is expected to result in more competitive pricing and enhanced service quality, making high-quality internet services more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Currently, Fiji is served by two main telecoms players. Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) owns Telecom Fiji, Vodafone Fiji, and Fiji International, while Digicel, owned by Telstra through its acquisition of Digicel Pacific, is the other main mobile operator.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, stated separately that Starlink’s LEO broadband connectivity will be a “game changer” for Fiji. It will provide connectivity resilience during natural disasters and offer cost-effective broadband access to unconnected populations in maritime communities.