Auckland's AGM: Pita's Biggest

The Pacific Islands Telecom Association's (PITA) annual general meetings are among the most important telecommunications industry events in the Pacific region. This is where ideas on policies, technologies, services, commerce, alliances and collaborations are exchanged, discussed followed up‹and even signed. PITA's eighth annual general meeting (AGM) was held in Auckland in April. This was the first time that an AGM was held in New Zealand's commercial capital.

The fact that this year's soiree was well attended not just by PITA members but also by a number of manufacturers of telecom equipment, infrastructure, software and service providers amply underscored the importance of the event. Hosted by Telecom New Zealand, the meeting agenda was choc-a-block with technical presentations, country reports, closed door sessions, besides one-to-one business meetings.

"It was indeed one of our biggest AGMs," said Fred Christopher, the Suva-based secretary of PITA, speaking to islands business.

Maui Sanford, PITA's new president and international relations manager of French Polynesia telecom provider OPT, based in Papeete, echoed that view. "It is good to see so much industry interest in PITA's affairs," he said. New Zealand Telecom's general manager for the Pacific region, Bill Gray, said he and his organising team had received positive feedback about the arrangements at the AGM.

Several equipment manufacturers, infrastructure and software providers had displays in the concourse of the plush venue in downtown Auckland. Interestingly, the AGM attracted a company far removed from the Pacific region, demonstrating the region's growing importance in the global telecom marketplace.

"Developments take place so rapidly in telecom technology that it is important to constantly stay in touch with clients to introduce them to enhancements that help upgrade services," said Sharada Kirinde, product manager of Informatics, a Colombo, Sri Lanka-based software development company that specialises in telecom related software and applications. The Pacific islands region is a growing market for Informatics and the company finds events like the PITA AGM useful to make pitches to potential clients. Other companies from Australia and New Zealand also had booths. "This is a great opportunity to keep in touch with clients who you've worked closely
with over the years," said Colm O'Donovan, Ericsson Australia's manager responsible for business in the Pacific islands. John Gjaltema, product manager of Auckland-based Agile said that Auckland was an excellent choice for a meeting of this nature owing to its proximity and convenient air connectivity with most of the islands countries.

Delegates at the AGM had ample opportunity to interact with one another even outside the formal ambit of the agenda, thanks to the after hours events around downtown Auckland that were sponsored by companies.

islands business attended several of the sessions and spoke with delegates representing telecom companies as well as government officials from Pacific islands countries.

Paula P Ma'u

Ma'u is Deputy Secretary of the department of communications, government of Tonga. He spoke with islands business after his presentation at the PITA AGM.

How is Tonga following up on its WSIS Geneva vision?

We're completely focused on and committed to ICTs and have taken concrete steps in recent times to reform the telecom sector. We have formed new corporate entities like Tonga Communication Corporation, the Tonga Communication Commission to look into issues like legislation and competition. The minister for telecommunications oversees the sector.

Have you arrived at a blueprint for the near term?

We're developing human resources for ICT at different levels and putting together an infotech strategic plan that looks at legislation, e-signatures and international cooperation in cyberspace. We also have a national ICT consultative committee.

What about ICT-driven media? Tonga has recently put in place media legislation. Does it cover the Internet?

No.

So one can jolly well publish anything on the Internet without the provisions of the media legislation taking effect?

At least for now, yes. But we are looking at the ICT scenario comprehensively.

Maui Sanford

Sanford was elected President of PITA at the Auckland AGM. He is also the International Relations manager of OPT, French Polynesia's telecom services provider. He spoke with islands business soon after his election and discussed his plans for the region's apex telecom association. Excerpts: What is your agenda for PITA now that you are President?

I would like to develop better and more frequent communication between members. I would also like to focus on training and human resources development particularly with respect to the members from the small islands countries' telcos. And of course I would like to increase industry interaction.

What about influencing policy at the government level?

That is very important as well. We will coordinate better with both regional organisations and international telecom organisations and affiliates. Conducive policy is necessary to the growth of the telecom industry in the Pacific region. We must also increase cooperation both technologically and commercially in the region.

What do you see as stumbling blocks in the Pacific islands telecom industry?

Levels of investment have to increase for telecom services to reach rural areas and far-flung islands. Technology also has to be tailored to meet the island environment's special requirements. We must experiment with hybrid technologies. Also, there has to be deregulation if costs of services and bandwidth have to be made affordable.

Mark Yeoman

Yeoman, former Chief Executive, SamoaTel, Samoa's telecom services provider.

What has been the year like, given the natural disasters?

The first quarter was terrible thanks to Cyclone Heta. But on a positive note, we completed the domestic fibre access network and got ready the new headquarters and the technology building.

What has been your experience with telecom sector reform in Samoa?

The ministry has been very cooperative and has always worked with us as a partner checking with us any technical and commercial implications in the process of arriving at the policy. I think we will see a robust regulatory environment in the future.

What about privatisation, Internet connectivity and bandwidth costs?

Mobile telephony in Samoa is already privatised. As for Internet services, Samoa is one of few Pacific island countries that offer a choice of Internet service providers to the people. We have about 2.5Mbps coming in and 1.5 going out. We haven't seen much growth in corporate usage yet.

Is bandwidth cost subsidised for the education or health sector?

No, there are no subsidies for any of these sectors.