15 August 2022 Nuku’alofa – The Prime Minister, the Honorable Hu’akavameiliku, this afternoon signed and exchanged Notes for three (3) of Japan’s Grant Aid Projects with His Excellency Ambassador Munenaga Kensaku at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre.

Attended by Cabinet Ministers, Chief Executive Officers and Board Members of government organisations that are recipients of the Grant, the event formalised funding agreements for:

1. the provision of Infrastructure Equipment to the Outer Islands as part of the Tonga Water Board program;

2. the provision of Waste Management Equipment for the Waste Authority Limited and

3. supplementary assistance for the Nationwide Early Warning System, Strengthening Disaster Communication Project (NEWS) under the Ministry of MEIDECC.

The Hon Hu’akavameiliku thanked the Japanese Government and HE Ambassador Kensaku for their continuing assistance rendered to Tonga.

HE Ambassador Kensaku said the Japanese Government was happy to be working with Tonga and commended the leadership of the Hon Prime Minister in the past six months, especially during the January 15 Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai volcano and tsunami plus the COVID-19 challenge that the Kingdom came through.

ENDS.

Issued by: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 7401351 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.pmo.gov.to

The public is hereby notified pursuant to the provisions of the Communications Act 2015, Spectrum Rules 2019, and the Radiocommunication Act (Cap. 98) it is the function of the Ministry of Communications (MEIDECC) to supervise and monitor all communication activities in the Kingdom, and to impose and collect all licence fees applicable to all radiocommunication services.

Please note that the Ministry of Communication (MEIDECC) will be conducting an annual inspection of all radiocommunication facilities in Tongatapu such as Aeronautical Aircraft and Ground Base stations, Land Mobile base stations, Maritime Ship and Coastal Base stations, and Satellite Earth, Transportable and VSAT stations or Terminals, commencing on Monday 25^th July – Friday 5^th August, 2022 and simultaneously collect all outstanding licence fees from respective existing users. For any enquiries, please approach the Communications team at the MEIDECC Office, Leve 2, O.G Sanft building, Nuku’alofa, or call office phone number 20131 or mobile number 7726273.

Thank you

Ministry of Communications (MEIDECC)

 ‘Oku fanongonongo atu heni ke mea’i kakai ‘oe Vahefonua Tongatapu, fakatatau kihe tu’utu’uni ‘o e lao Fetu’utaki 2015(Communications Act 2015) pea moe lao kihe Naunau Fakaletio (Spectrum Rules 2019, Radiocommunications Act (Cap.28), oku fakafatongia’aki ‘ae Potungaue Fetu’utaki kene tokanga’i mo muimui’i ngaahi me’angaue fakaletio ‘i Tongani pea mo hono hilifaki mo tanaki ngaahi totongi laiseni fakatatau kihe natula oe sevesi ngaahi letio takitaha.

Oku oatu ai heni ‘ae fanongonongo ke mea’i kakai ‘oe Vahefonua Tongatapu e fakahoko atu ‘ehe Potungaue Fetu’utaki ae ‘a’ahi ki hono sivi ngaahi  naunau fakaletio kuo fokotuú kihe Vakapuna mo hono station, letio íhe vaka folau tahi, letio íhe ngaahi peisi moe meálele taxi, pea pehee kihe ngaahi meángaue fetuútaki satelaite. É fakahoko e polokalama sivi letio koeni kamata he áho Monite 25 ó Siulai ki he Falaite 5 ‘Akosi 2022. É tanaki aipe e ngaahi totongi laiseni pea mo fakama’opo’opo mai ngaahi laiseni oku te’eki ke lesisita mo fakafo’ou. Ki ha fakaékeéke, kataki fetuútaki mai ki he ‘ofisi pe ‘a e  Potungaue MEIDECC ‘i Nuku’alofa,  pe ko e fetuútaki mai kihe telefoni 20 131 pe koe fika telefoni toótoó 7726273.

Malo

Faka’apa’apa atu

Potungaue Fetu’utaki (MEIDECC)

7^th July, 2022. A two day, On the Job Training (OJT) for an FM Retransmission System (Component 3-3) for the Niua’s was hosted by the Japan Radio Company Limited (JRC) at the MEIDECC Main Office on the 5^th and 6^th of July, 2022.

Day 1: OJT Training for General Knowledge of the System hosted by JRC for Communication team, at MEIDECC Main Office.

The main objective of this OJT is to transfer technical knowledge and skills of the operation and maintenance of the FM Retransmission System.  This is important in keeping the system, in good condition for a long period of time, periodic check/maintenance that should be carried out regularly by the MEIDECC team.

Day 1: OJT Presentation of FM Coverage for the Niua's.

This Component 3-3 is an important part of the National Early Warning System (NEWS) Project and it is targeted primarily for the Niua’s as the AM signal there is weak. However, this system will help convert the AM transmission from Tongatapu into FM signal to trigger Sirens and RAR’s already installed in the Niua’s in case of any Tsunami Warnings.

Day 2: OJT for Maintenance and Troubleshooting of System

Japanese team and a member from MEIDECC’s Communication team will depart to the Niua’s on the 12^th of July, 2022 in order to complete any Adjustment & Test, OJT on-site, and Acceptance Test for this FM Retransmission System (Component 3-3).

ENDS.

Issued by the: Department of Communications (MEIDECC) 

30th June, 2022 A team of fourteen member from Japan arrived in the Kingdom to continue and to complete the Tonga National Early Warning System (NEWS) Project that is fund through a grant agreement from the Japanese Government estimate to worth TOP$58m pa’anga.

The main purpose of the project is to realize swift transmission of warning and safety information on natural disasters by installing an emergency radio communication system, an early warning sound alert system all over Tonga and improving broadcasting infrastructure of Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), thereby contributing to disaster prevention and measures relating to the environment and climate change.

A kick off meeting with the implementation agency CEO Mr. Paula Ma’u of MEIDECC with one of the stakeholder the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) with the Japanese counterpart took place to addressing agenda of the continuation and to completing of the NEWS Project tentatively scheduling to complete and commission in September 2022.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Communications (MEIDECC)

Starlink VSAT terminal installed at the fire station, Ha'apai

27th May, 2022 A team of five from MEIDECC’s Department of Communications and Emergency Telecommunication Cluster (ETC) was approved by the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) to travel to Ha’apai on May 21 to install Starlink VSAT terminals and to improve internet communications on the island.

The team include the Director of Communications ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka, Lutoviko Falemaka, Taniela Taufa, Poumaama Liu and Muli Tu’ipulotu.

Starlink VSAT terminals are installed in Pangai to provide internet access for government departments, public enterprises and schools. Public Wi-Fi are also available at MEIDECC’s office, governor’s office, fire station, airport and Sosefo College.

Ha’apai’s Police Magistrate Mana Mo’ui Kaufusi said, “I’m grateful that the Justice Office now have better internet access to process birth and marriage certificates and assist us with our daily work schedule.”

Sione Fonokalafi of the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) “We are happy that we’ll be able to carry out our driving and vehicle registration licensing requirements.”

The team returned to Tongatapu today.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Communications (MEIDECC)

13th May, 2022 A team from the MEIDECC’s Communications Department, under the Emergency Telecommunication Cluster travelled to Vava’u on April 29 – May 6 to expand and improve the island’s communication connectivity via Starlink internet terminals donated by Elon Musk.

The team included the Director of Communications Mr ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka, Senior Engineer Mr Stan ‘Ahio, Technician Mr Taniela Taufa and Traffic Officer Poumaama Liu.

The terminals were installed at selected sites around Neiafu to facilitate internet access for essential services, Government Departments, public enterprises, private business, schools, churches as well as the public.

Principal of Vava’u High School Mrs. ‘Utulangamataki Paongo said, “We are fortunate to be one of the selected sites. Students from The University of the South Pacific are here almost every day to make use of the Wi-Fi. The Seventh Day Adventist School Misipa and Pouono TTI Academy School at Mailefihi also access the internet through Vava’u High School’s VSAT internet terminal.

Town officer of Neiafu Mr Vava Lapota thanked the government for expanding the communication connectivity around Neiafu. He said this will enable citizens to communicate with their families abroad.

Installing Starlink terminal and Public WiFi TPL, Vava’u.

Erecting 6.2m mask at top of NEMO Building mounting the LTU Rocket Antenna

Installing Starlink terminal and Public WiFi Customs, Vava’u.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Communications (MEIDECC)