South Pacific Islands Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Last updated: 26 May 2025 Update History

Report Status: Current

Report Pages: 199

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

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Summary
Table Of Contents

South Pacific Islands expanding 5G and satellite internet services to improve capacity and coverage

The demand for data-based services in the Pacific region continues to grow, aligning with similar trends around the world. In particular, the demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to a combination of factors, including the wider availability of affordable devices, cheaper data plans resulting from competition in most markets, and the declining cost of data as more subsea cables connect the islands of the region.

Mobile technology plays a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the Pacific Islands by giving the population access to services such as e-government, health, and education. Mobile technology also acts as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth. As a result, the further development of mobile infrastructure and the migration from legacy 3G services to LTE and 5G are central to efforts by governments and regulators in the region to boost economic growth and encourage social development using ICT.

The three largest countries in terms of population include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Solomon Islands. While Papua New Guinea has the largest population by far, it provides opportunities for significant growth considering its mobile penetration is still low, at just over 36%.

Internet penetration in the region is among the lowest in the world. However, improved international internet connectivity and capacity is helping boost the penetration rate by lowering access prices for end-users, while the steady migration to LTE and, in some markets, 5G, is also enabling more people to access mobile broadband and so engage with fintech and other digital solutions.

Submarine cable build-outs and the expansion of satellite services have bolstered international connectivity for the region in recent years, with more submarine cables due for completion in coming years, particularly from the likes of Google Cloud which is preparing five cable projects in the region.

Fiji is one of the key markets to watch due to it having a diverse economy and having among the highest mobile and mobile broadband penetration rates in the region. It is also leading in terms of preliminary 5G readiness.

While there are many local operators, there are also regional players including Digicel Pacific, now owned by Telstra and which has operated in the Pacific region for some years. Recently, the Fiji-based Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) has expanded regionally, completing a number of acquisitions.

International organisations such as United Nations, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have taken a special interest in seeing the general living conditions as well as communication services improve in the Pacific region. It is well recognised that access to broadband services can vastly improve the economic and social conditions in these emerging markets, many of which are prone to natural disasters and rising sea levels.

This BuddeComm publication provides valuable information, analyses and current statistics on the telecom markets of the seven largest countries in the Pacific region. It focuses on the markets of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Samoa. The report includes a regional overview, identifying the key trends and leading operators. It provides insights into the mobile market of each country including mobile subscriber and mobile broadband statistics. Information on the fixed broadband market and statistics is also included with a particular focus on submarine cable and satellite developments.

Key developments:

Digicel PNG invests more in LTE infrastructure and extends population coverage to over 80%.
Kacific-1 satellite improving the region’s international connectivity.
PNG DataCo upgrades internet gateway with a 100Gb/s link.
Samoan government approves Starlink’s satellite internet services.
Fiji leading the way in both LTE deployment as well as 5G readiness.
Report update includes operator data to H1 2025, statistical data to December 2024, regulator’s updated telecom sector releases, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Kumul Telikom, Telikom PNG, PNG DataCo, Digicel, Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), Telecom Fiji (TFL), Fiji International Telecommunications (Fintel), Kacific Broadband Satellites, Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN), Vodafone Fiji (VFL), Inkk Mobile, Unwired Fiji, Fintel Internet Services (Kidanet), Our Telekom (Breeze), Bmobile-Vodafone, O3b, Solomon Island Submarine Cable Company, Office des Postes et Télécommunications de Nouvelle-Calédonie (OPT-NC), Amper, Blue Sky Samoa, Telecom Vanuatu (TVL), Office des Postes et Télécommunications (OPT), Tahiti Nui Telecommunications, Galileo, Vini, Honotua Cable, Vodafone Polynesia.

Regional overview
Telecoms industry statistics by country

Population by largest country
Mobile subscribers by country
Mobile penetration by country
Mobile broadband subscribers by country
Mobile broadband penetration by country
Fixed broadband subscriptions by country
Fixed broadband penetration by country

Regional operators

Digicel Pacific
Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH)

Telecommunications infrastructure

Submarine cable overview

Cables connecting island groups

Satellite

Papua New Guinea

Telecoms market overview

Other key considerations
Telecom sector development targets for 2030

Mobile market

Mobile infrastructure
Mobile statistics
Mobile operators

Fixed market

Fixed network operators
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International Infrastructure

Submarine infrastructure
Satellite

Fiji

Telecoms market overview
Mobile market

Mobile Infrastructure
Mobile statistics
Mobile operators
MVNOs

Fixed market

Fixed network operators
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International Infrastructure

Submarine
Satellite

Solomon Islands

Telecoms market overview
Mobile market

Mobile statistics
Mobile operators
Fixed market
Fixed-line statistics
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics
Internet downloading

International Infrastructure

Satellite networks

Vanuatu

Telecoms market overview
Universal Access Policy (UAP)
Mobile market

Mobile statistics
Mobile infrastructure
Mobile operators

Fixed market

Fixed network operator
Fixed-line statistics
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International Infrastructure

Submarine cables
Satellite

French Polynesia

Telecoms market overview
Mobile market

Mobile statistics
Mobile infrastructure
4G (LTE)
3G
Mobile operators

Fixed market

Fixed network operators
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International Infrastructure

Submarine cables
Satellite

New Caledonia

Telecoms market overview
Mobile market

Mobile statistics
Mobile operator

Fixed market

Fixed network operators
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International infrastructure

Submarine
Satellite

Samoa

Telecoms market overview
Mobile market

Mobile statistics
Mobile infrastructure
Mobile operators

Fixed market

Fixed network operator
Fixed broadband infrastructure
Fixed broadband statistics

International infrastructure

Submarine cables
Satellite broadband

Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports

List of Tables

Table 1 – South Pacific – Mobile subscribers by country (million) – 2015 – 2025
Table 2 – South Pacific – Mobile penetration by country – 2015 – 2025
Table 3 – South Pacific – Mobile broadband subscribers by country (thousand) – 2015 – 2025
Table 4 – South Pacific – Mobile broadband penetration by country – 2015 - 2025
Table 5 – South Pacific – Fixed broadband subscribers by country – 2015 – 2025
Table 6 – South Pacific – Fixed broadband penetration by country – 2015 - 2025
Table 12 – Development of ATH Company financial data (FJ$ million) – 2010 - 2018
Table 13 – Telecom sector development goals – 2010; 2015; 2020; 2025; 2030
Table 14 – PNG – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 - 2027
Table 15 – PNG – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 16 – Papua New Guinea - Mobile operators’ market share of subscribers – 2014; 2016; 2018 (June)
Table 17 – Digicel PNG’s mobile subscribers – 2014 – 2018
Table 18 – Papua New Guinea - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 19 – Fiji – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 20 – Fiji – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 21 – Development of Vodafone Fiji’s financial data (FJ$ million) – 2012 – 2024
Table 22 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Fiji’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2024
Table 23 – Development of Telecom Fiji’s financial data (FJ$ million) – 2012 – 2024
Table 24 – Development of Fintel’s financial data (FJ$ million) – 2013 – 2024
Table 25 – Fiji – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 26 – Solomon Islands – Mobile subscriptions and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 27 – Solomon Islands – Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 28 – Solomon Islands – Fixed-lines in services and teledensity – 2012 – 2027
Table 29 – Solomon Islands – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 30 – Vanuatu - Development of telecom market revenue (VUV million)- 2020 – 2023
Table 31 – Vanuatu – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 32 – Vanuatu – Increase in mobile data traffic – 2016 – 2023
Table 33 – Vanuatu – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 34 – Development of Vodafone Vanuatu’s financial data (FJ$ million) - 2018 – 2020
Table 35 – Vanuatu – Fixed-lines in service and teledensity – 2012 – 2027
Table 36 – Vanuatu – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 37 – French Polynesia – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 38 – French Polynesia – Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 39 – French Polynesia – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 40 – New Caledonia – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 41 – New Caledonia – Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2015 - 2027
Table 42 – Development of OPT-NC’s revenue – 2012 – 2019
Table 43 – New Caledonia – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 44 – Samoa – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Table 45 – Samoa - Mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration – 2013 – 2027
Table 46 – Samoa - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Pacific island countries ranked by largest population – 2025
Chart 2 – South Pacific – Mobile penetration by country – 2015 – 2025
Chart 8 – PNG – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 - 2027
Chart 9 – PNG – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 10 – Papua New Guinea - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 11 – Fiji – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 12 – Fiji - Active mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 13 – Development of Vodafone Fiji’s financial data – 2012 – 2024
Chart 14 – Growth in the number of Vodafone Fiji’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2024
Chart 15 – Development of Telecom Fiji’s financial data – 2012 – 2024
Chart 16 – Development of Fintel’s financial data – 2013 – 2024
Chart 17 – Fiji - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 18 – Solomon Islands – Mobile subscriptions and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 19 – Solomon Islands – Mobile broadband subscribers and user penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 20 – Solomon Islands – Fixed-lines in services and teledensity – 2012 – 2027
Chart 21 – Solomon Islands – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 22 – Vanuatu - Development of telecom market revenue - 2020 – 2023
Chart 23 – Vanuatu – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 24 – Vanuatu – Increase in mobile data traffic – 2016 – 2023
Chart 25 – Vanuatu – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 26 – Vanuatu – Fixed-lines in service and teledensity – 2012 – 2027
Chart 27 – Vanuatu – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 28 – French Polynesia – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 29 – French Polynesia – Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 30 – French Polynesia – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 31 – New Caledonia – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 32 – New Caledonia - Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2015 – 2027
Chart 33 – New Caledonia – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 34 – Samoa – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027
Chart 35 – Samoa - Mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration – 2013 – 2027
Chart 36 – Samoa - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2027

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 – Major submarine cables with landing points in the South Pacific Islands
Exhibit 2 – Papua New Guinea - Kumul Telikom (Telecom) Holdings

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South Pacific Islands Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

South Pacific Islands expanding 5G and satellite internet services to improve capacity and coverage

Key developments:

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Regional overview

Telecoms industry statistics by country

Regional operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Papua New Guinea

Fiji

Solomon Islands

Vanuatu

French Polynesia

New Caledonia

Samoa

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Research Methodology

Hot Topics

News & Views