Telecommunications
Vanuatu's Smile Taking Off
Now it’s moving into the rural areas in a big way
In April, Telecom Vanuatu Ltd opened up its GSM network for commercial use. Opting for the mature GSM network has meant a diverse selection of products by the company for Vanuatu mobile telephony customers.
With GSM, which has been adopted in the South Pacific by Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Fiji and Tonga, Telecom Vanuatu launched various Smile mobile products such as the post-paid Smile Premium package, pre-paid Smile Rifil and pre-paid temporary Smile Visitors packs.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
The company believes its GSM local prices are the cheapest in the region.
Telecom Vanuatu says its GSM customer base is expanding now with some 4000 consumers, nearing the 6000 figure for fixed customers. While 80 percent are on Rifil, the remaining 20 percent have gone for the monthly billing Premium deal.
The private company, owned by the Vanuatu government, France Telecom and Cable & Wireless, said there was a need to develop the existing system before incorporating GSM. Numerous reasons prompted the switch: Need to renew the switching platform; high demand for telephone lines; problems with activation process; ineffective billing system and keeping in line with international traffic revenues (FCC).
Telecom Vanuatu’s plans to continue to extend into Vanuatu’s rural areas. Currently, the Alcatel GSM network covers Port Vila and nearby villages between Mele and White Sands, Luganville (Santo) and Norsup (Malekula).
