Fiji-Tonga undersea cable - This is to be funded by the Asian Development Bank

[fiji times] THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) will assist in Tonga's high-speed Internet access by financing the development of a submarine cable system.

The ADB board of directors on Tuesday approved grant funds of $18.9million to help finance the establishment and operation of an 827 km submarine cable system from Tonga to the Southern Cross Cable in Fiji which will provide widely accessible information and communication technology (ICT) services.

"The new ICT services the cable will bring will improve Tonga's economic performance and delivery of public services," ADB said in a statement.

"The Tonga to Fiji Submarine Cable Project aims to improve existing businesses' efficiency and create new business opportunities, especially in the ICT sector.

"The cable technology will boost telecommunications, computer, information, maintenance and repair services.

"It will also allow ICT-based education, health, and government services to overcome the small island country's challenges - distance and scarce human resources."

The project is estimated to cost $61m and is being co-financed by the World Bank Group and Tonga Cable Limited.

The fibre optic cable will connect Tonga to the Southern Cross Cable, the main trans-Pacific link between Australia and the United States.

It will generate economic opportunities and social benefits starting mid 2013 when the cable is in place.

"The project aims to deliver good quality, affordable broadband Internet to Tonga's population of 100,000," said Robert Wihtol, director general of ADB's Pacific Department.

"In addition to the positive socioeconomic impact of the initiative, the project will contribute to regional integration."

The cable will increase the frequency and quality of communications among countries in the region, encouraging trade in services and will allow the region to form a sizeable market for digital products and services.

Tonga's Ministry of Finance and National Planning will be the executing agency for the project, which should be completed by 2016.

ICT project to link Tonga to the world