The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) acknowledges and is supportive of the progress made so far in the implementation of the Coral Sea Cable System project.

SICCI commends the Solomon Islands Government, Australian Government and the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company for their commitment to date to make sure the project is on track.

Manufacture of the cable is currently underway in France, the survey of the seabed is complete and the installation of the cable will take place from June this year with the cable scheduled to be ready for service in December 2019.

SICCI Chairman, Mr Jay Bartlett, said the country needs more investments like the Tina Hydro Power Project and the Coral Sea Cable System project which has a huge potential to drive economic development for the Solomon Islands.

Improved internet access and connectivity will encourage private sector development and employment generation.

“This project provides an important platform for broader economic progress and will unlock many opportunities for Solomon Islanders.

“Among many benefits, the cable will boost the county’s internet speed connection, and for the average Solomon Islander, it should translate to cheaper communication rates. We are excited with its potential to enable innovations in systems and processes both for Government as well as for businesses. It could result in better and more efficient ways of doing business and most importantly, help bridge the gap between private sector and public sector.’ Mr Bartlett said.

Mr Bartlett said a social impact of this project will no doubt be the improvement of the delivery of Government services to the people.

“A faster and more reliable internet service means Government will be able to digitise its services with particular implications for education and health services, especially for those in the rural areas who remain disadvantaged in being far from the service hubs of Honiara and the provincial towns,” he said.

SICCI Chief Executive Officer, Ms Atenasi Ata said the Coral Sea Cable will certainly change the way we do business.

“It will be a huge leap for internet services in the Solomon Islands. This project will result in another avenue for businesses to grow their market and not have to rely on transport infrastructure like road and wharves.”

“The internet is the key means to communications nowadays and can have a better impact on production and efficiency for businesses. For one, this could be advantageous for ones relying on niche marketing such as tourism.” she said.

Meanwhile, SICCI Chair, Mr Bartlett supports the Government in working together with all parties in ensuring this national project is completed successfully. The landing station at Lengakiki, West Honiara will host a 4,700 kilometre-long fibre optic cable, linking up Sydney, Port Moresby and Honiara.

It includes a domestic network of 740 kilometres connecting domestic sites of     Auki, Noro and Taro.

Submarine cables are more suitable to the isolated and third-world country locations, and is known to reduce the cost of communication access and stimulate increased economic growth.