News

PM tells FINTEL and TFL to get serious

November 14, 2015 12:15 am

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says while government continues to help innovators in the ICT industry spread telecommunication benefits throughout the country, FINTEL and TFL must get serious.

Bainimarama says the pricing and flexible attitude, to get more customers for themselves and investors into Fiji, need to be addressed immediately.

He says we are fortunate that the Southern Cross cable lands in Fiji but that does not mean we take a monopolistic stance.

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“Our approach to doing business must change. We cannot afford to have the attitude that we make a kill on one sale. We must move to a lower margin and high volume approach. This will enable us to take advantage of the economic trajectory we are on and create business and employment opportunities in the ITC sector both directly and directly.”

Bainimarama has also given directives to the Fiji Electricity Authority and TFL to work together to complete the laying of fibre optic cable around Viti Levu.

He says it has slowed down because of the lack of inability of the two companies to work together.

The Prime Minister has given them a week to resolve the matter as the government can’t afford to have its critical infrastructure companies working in silos.

TFL CEO Mothilal De Silva says he will have a meeting with FEA in the coming days to ensure that come January, high speed broadband services and internet is available to Fijians.