Mobile Satellite and Radio Telecommunication System End User Training in Tonga

 

 

The World Food Programme (WFP)-led Pacific Emergency Telecommunication Cluster, in partnership with the Department of Communications, Ministry of MEIDECC, is delivering hands-on emergency telecommunications training in Tonga for ETC Tonga stakeholders.

This training program accommodates 8 trainees per day, with participants completing all 3 modules - Mobile Satellite System, Telecom Radio Systems, and Train the Trainers. . The program commenced on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, with an opening ceremony featuring a welcoming speech by the Director of the Communications Department, Mr. Stan Ahio. In his opening remarks, Mr. Ahio emphasized the critical importance of emergency telecommunications for Tonga's disaster preparedness, stating that "communication is the lifeline of disaster response" and highlighting the nation's vulnerability to natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

He welcomed the WFP-led Pacific ETC representative, Mr. Wayne Ffoulkes, who brings over 30 years of unparalleled experience in telecommunications and training management. Mr. Ahio expressed Tonga's immense gratitude for the partnership efforts from the UN's World Food Programme and ETC Pacific in supporting the nation's resilience efforts.

In his address, Mr. Ahio encouraged participants to "engage fully, ask a lot of questions, and embrace the skills that will make a difference when disaster strikes," emphasizing their role as the backbone of Tonga's disaster response framework. He highlighted how the training would create "a ripple effect of preparedness across our communities" through the Train the Trainers module.

Following the opening ceremony, the training began with 8 staff members from the Ministry of MEIDECC, with other stakeholders scheduled to participate throughout the remainder of the week.

Using the Pacific Waves Training Alliance's Mobile Satellite and Radio Telecommunication Systems End User modules alongside the Train-the-Trainer (EDIP) program, participants are developing practical skills to operate and teach critical emergency telecommunications technologies for disaster response.

This tailored training empowers local trainers and responders to confidently deploy mobile satellite and radio systems, strengthening Tonga's internal capacity for effective emergency preparedness and resilience. This represents a significant step forward in our preparedness efforts to improve our responders' capacity in telecommunications emergency systems.

  

THE KINGDOM OF TONGA

NATIONAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICE NATIONAL

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE

 

SITUATION REPORT

Event: Tropical Cyclone RAE(Category2)  

Sit Rep No:   02

Date:   24th February, 2025    Period: 23/02/25, 0800 Hrs - 24/02/25, 1000 Hrs

 

The National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) has issued a situation report to update operational partners on the status of Tropical Disturbance 09F, which was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Rae (Category 1) yesterday at 1900 hours. This morning, the system further intensified into a Category 2 cyclone at 0730 hours.

Figures 1 & 2: Display the current and forecasted track of Tropical Cyclone RAE (Category 2), highlighting areas of interest across the eastern Tonga group. The system is expected to pass over Vava’u today, Ha’apai tomorrow morning, and potentially impact the main island of Tongatapu between Wednesday and Thursday. Response planning efforts are also being prioritized for all eastern communities across Tonga’s island groups.

 

Highlights

•                  The Fua‘amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (FTCWC) reported at 1900 hours on February 23rd that the system had intensified into  Tropical Cyclone RAE, classified as a Category 1 system .

•                  At 2100 hours on February 23rd, all Island National Emergency Ope rations Centers (NEOCs) were still activated and operational on standby mode to enhance monitoring efforts and facilitate real-time community -level reporting. This ensures stakeholders remain informed about the current status and forecast track of Tropical

Cyclone RAE (Category 1).

•                  Consistent maintaining communication with the islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo‘ou remains a priority. Initial impact assessments  by local government on the ground indicates no major damage to infrastructure, and all residents are reported to be safe and well cared for, as confirmed by local officers.            

•                  As  of 0730 hours February 24th this morning, the latest update from the FTCWC confirms that Tropical Cyclone RAE has intensified into a  Category 2 system.

Figures 1,2, 3: Display the current and forecasted track of Tropical Cyclone RAE (Category 2).

 

A. Background

Tropical Cyclone "RAE" has intensified into a Category 2 system and located near latitude 16.7 South and longitude 179.1 West, or about 390 km west southwest of 'Esia (Niuafo'ou), or 575km west of Hihifo (Niuatoputapu), or 585km west northwest of Neiafu (Vava'u), or 610km northwest of Pangai (Haapai), or 640km northwest of Nukualofa (Tongatapu), or 680km northwest of Ohonua (Eua) at 6am this morning. The sustain winds of 50-55 knots (100-110km/hr) near the centre and gust up to 70-75 knots (140-150 km/hr). The system is currently moving south southwest at the speed of 8 knots (16km/hr). TC RAE is expected to gradually intensify into a Tropical Cyclone Category 3 in the next 24 hours. Associated clouds with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong to gale force winds will affect the Niuas while strong winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms extend onto Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua.

 

B. Current situation

 

1. Situation Overview

 

1.1 National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC)

  • At 2100 hours on February 23rd, the NEOC issued a notification regarding the intensification of the system, classified as Category 1, and confirmed the full activation of the Island Emergency Operation Centre (IEOC) through direct calls.
  • NDRMO staff continue working in eight-hour shifts, with designated officers responsible for monitoring the situation and disseminating public awareness updates.
  • Public awareness efforts remain consistent and ongoing across social media platforms and other communication channels.
  • Direct check-in calls to local government authorities are being conducted regularly to support the dissemination of precautionary preparedness measures.
  • As of 0730 hours this morning, all IEOCs have been contacted to inform them that Tropical Cyclone RAE has intensified to Category 2. Additionally, communities in eastern Tonga, located near the forecasted track, have been notified.

 

1.2 Report from the Islands 

 As of 0700 hours this morning, the NEOC team successfully established contact with all island EOC focal points, confirming that all communication channels are operational. The situation reports for the following islands are as follows:

Island

OIC Focal Point

Focal Point Contact

Current Situation

Niuatoputapu

Mikaele Fuimaono

District Officer 

 

Kolofahina Tuítupou

Police Officer  

 

7716629

 

 

7512192

Mikaele reports Niuatoputapu this morning consists of occasional showers accompanied by low to moderate winds. The entire island remains overcast, with cloudy skies persisting throughout the day. No severe weather impacts have been reported at this time, and conditions remain unchanging.

 

Niuafo’ou

Álani Tonga Police Officer

7746141

Inspector Álani reports that the current weather conditions this morning at Niuafo‘ou consist of light showers and moderate winds. The sky remains overcast across the island. There have been no significant impacts recorded due to the weather. The current situation in Niuafo‘ou is similar as of yesterday’s report, where no major effects have been observed or reported.

 

Vava’u

Vava Lapota

Neiafu, Town Officer

7701640

The current weather condition in Vava’u consists of occasional rain with light winds and overcast conditions remain across the island. The impact remains low with no major issues has been reported at this time.

Ha’apai

‘Apaita Tuivailala

7741905

The current situation in Haʻapai this morning consists of light winds and partly cloudy conditions across the island with occasional rain. There was no impacts were reported.

‘Eua

Siale Tahaafe MET Officer

7737525

Siale reported that the current weather in Eua consists of light rain, moderate winds, and overcast conditions across the island. No impacts were reported at this time.

Table 1: Island OIC reports as part of Island NEOC protocols.  

 

1.3 Current Contact List to Outer Islands EOC

As of 0700 hours (7:00 AM) this morning, the NEOC team has successfully informed all island EOC focal points about the current status and track map of Tropical Cyclone RAE (Category 1) to support the dissemination of precautionary preparedness measures.

ROLE

NAME

PHONE NUMBER

OIC VAVA’U

Lucy Fa’anunu

7512757/7401911/8774795

OIC HA’APAI

Siniua Vailala

‘Apaiata Tuivailala

7202670/7799990

7741905

OIC ‘EUA

Hoifua

Siale Tahaafe

Tupou Lataimaumi

7209761

7737525/8701280

7737525

NIUA FO’OU

District Officer

Fakafofonga Pule’anga

Polisi

Pule TCC

MEIDECC Officer

 

Sione Fuimaono(Fataulua)

Sione Mausia(‘Esia)

‘Alani Tonga(‘Esia)

Malakai (Sapa’ata)

Tangimausia Kalu (Energy)

 

7581683

7716180

7746141

7581207

7731929

NIUA TOPUTAPU

District Officer

Pule TCC

Polisi

MEIDECC Officer

 

Mikaele Fakasi’i’eiki Suliasi

Kolofahina Tu’itupou

Palavi Lefai (Meteology)

Pita Halapua

 

7716629

7728193

7512192

7717779

7710170

Table 2: Island OIC reports as part of Island NEOC protocol

 

2. Clusters

 The Clusters were on standby for any immediate response.

 

Name of Clusters

State of Activation

1.

Logistics Cluster

Not Activated

2.

Emergency Shelter & NFI Cluster

Not Activated

3.

HNWASH Cluster

Not Activated

4.

Safety & Protection Cluster

Not Activated

5.

Food Security & Livelihood Cluster

Not Activated

6.

Critical Services Cluster

Not Activated

7.

Education Cluster

Not Activated

8.

Emergency Telecommunication Cluster

Not Activated

9.

Economic & Social Recovery Cluster

Not Activated

`10.

Reconstruction Cluster

Not Activated

11.

Displacement & Evacuation  Management Cluster

Not Activated

Table 3: Operational Clusters

 

b. Evacuation centre

 No evacuation centre is activated as of this reporting period.

 c. Deactivation

 NA

 

d. Further updates

The next Situation Report (Sitrep) will be issued at 1000 hours (10:00 AM) tomorrow or earlier if new information becomes available. However, if the system, currently classified as Category 2 per the FTCWC's 0730-hour update this morning, undergoes further intensification and impact, updates will be provided more frequently by established protocols.

 

 

 

~END~

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Kuo tali he Pule Lahi ó e Potungaue MEIDECC ke fakahoko hono test ó e ngaahi meángaue fakatokanga tokamuá ki ha ngaahi fakatamaki faka-e-natula pe ko e siren í he hoáta Falaite ko hono 1 ó Novema 2024 í he taimi 12:15 hoáta. Ko e tesi ko éni é kau kotoa kiai á e ngaahi fuú pou í Tongatapu, Éua, Haápai, Vavaú pea mo Niua Toputapu. É fakamoúi atu foki mo e fanga kií letioo kulokula pe RAR í he tesi ko éni. Kataki ó fakatokangaí ange ko e tesi ko éni é FAKATATANGI atu á e ngaahi siren kotoa ke fakapapauí á e moúi á e ngaahi meángaue ni. Kataki ke mou fakaílo ki he fanau mo e kau tokavaivai é fakatatangi atu á e ngaahi fuú pou kotoa óku íai á e naunau ko éni. Óku fai atu ai pe mo kole ki he kau ófisa kolo ke mou tokoni mai ó lipooti mai á e ola ó e tesi ki he ngaahi fika óku ha atu í lalo.

Ngaahi fika fetuútaki

1.      0800 638
2.      0800 6366
3.      28 005
4.      20 136

Fakaápaápa atu,

Potungaue MEIDECC

­­­Illegal Reselling of SpaceX Terminal in Tonga

In light of recent developments regarding the unauthorized resale of SpaceX terminals within Tonga, we wish to inform the public about the serious legal implications associated with such actions. It has come to our attention that certain individuals and entities are engaging in the illegal resale of these terminals, which are exclusively distributed by authorized sellers, namely Digicel Tonga and Wantok.

The unauthorized sale of SpaceX terminals not only undermines the integrity of our telecommunications infrastructure but also poses significant risks to consumers who may be misled into purchasing devices that do not comply with regulatory standards or may not function as intended.

Under current legislation, individuals found guilty of illegally reselling SpaceX terminals will face severe penalties. The law stipulates that offenders may incur a penalty of up to $10,000 or face imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, or both. This stringent measure is designed to protect consumers and ensure that all telecommunications services provided in Tonga meet established safety and quality standards.

We urge all residents and businesses in Tonga to refrain from purchasing SpaceX terminals from unauthorized sellers. Instead, please seek out Digicel Tonga or Wantok for legitimate purchases. By doing so, you will ensure compliance with local laws and receive proper customer support and service.

To further assist consumers in making informed decisions, we encourage everyone to verify the credentials of any seller before making a purchase. Authorized retailers can provide necessary documentation confirming their legitimacy as distributors of SpaceX products.

If you suspect any illegal activity related to the resale of SpaceX terminals, please report it immediately to local authorities or contact [insert relevant contact information]. Your cooperation is vital in maintaining a lawful marketplace and protecting our community.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Contact Information: Stan Ahio
Acting Director for Communication
MEIDECC
+676 7706828/8706828
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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