Tonga - Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics

Synopsis

Local and international telecom services are provided by Tonga Communications Corp (TCC), which also operates the ISP Kalianet, and a GSM 900 network. In addition, an emerging second carrier, Shoreline Communications (TonFon), has been building a hybrid GSM-VSAT-IP-based system to deliver low-cost voice, video, data, Internet, entertainment and wireless services throughout the Kingdom. Digicel acquired Tonfon in Tonga in late December 2007 and re-launched as Digicel in 2008. Regulatory reforms have resulted in a marked increase in teledensity, a huge fall in the waiting list, and over 200% decline in telecom tariffs. By late 2007 WiFi services were available throughout the island.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Key statistics
  
• 3. Country overview
  
• 4. Telecommunications market
  
  • 4.1 Overview of Tonga’s telecom market
    
• 5. Regulatory environment
  
  • 5.1 Sector reform
    
    • 5.1.1 Tonga Communications Corporation Act 2000
      
    • 5.1.2 Introduction of sustainable competition
      
  • 5.2 Regulatory authority
    
    • 5.2.1 Department of Communications
      
  • 5.3 Privatisation of TCC
    
• 6. Fixed network operators in Tonga
  
  • 6.1 Tonga Communications Corporation
    
  • 6.2 Shoreline Communications Ltd (TonFon)
    
• 7. Telecommunications infrastructure
  
  • 7.1 National telecom network
    
  • 7.2 Infrastructure developments
    
    • 7.2.1 TonFon’s wireless IP network
      
  • 7.3 Satellite networks
    
• 8. Broadband and Internet market
  
  • 8.1 Overview
    
  • 8.2 Internet access locations
    
  • 8.3 ISP market
    
    • 8.3.1 Kalianet
      
    • 8.3.2 TonFon Net
      
  • 8.4 Fixed-line broadband market
    
  • 8.5 Wireless broadband market
    
    • 8.5.1 TCC to launch WiMAX network
      
• 9. Mobile communications
  
  • 9.1 Overview of Tonga’s mobile market
    
  • 9.2 Major mobile operators
    
    • 9.2.1 TCC (U-Call Mobile)
      
    • 9.2.2 Digicel (previously TonFon Mobile)
      
• 10. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Country statistics – 2008
• Table 2 – Telephone network statistics – 2008
• Table 3 – Internet provider statistics – 2008
• Table 4 – Internet user statistics – 2007
• Table 5 – Mobile statistics – 2008
• Table 6 – National telecommunications authority
• Table 7 – Internet users – 1998 - 2008
• Table 8 – Mobile subscribers – 1998 - 2008
• Table 9 – Mobile operators and subscribers – July 2007