February 17th. 2022. CEO for MEIDECC and Department of Communications received, 50 VSAT Terminals kindly offered and donated by SpaceX and Starlink on Tuesday 15th February 2022, to the Government of Tonga for their relief efforts in response to the tsunami disaster that destroyed Tonga’s only Submarine Fibre Cable. 

CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Ma'u and the Department of Communication team Mr. 'Alifeleti Tu'ihalamaka (Director) and Mr. Stan 'Ahio (Senior Telecom Engineer). 

Mr. Ma’u acknowledged receipt of the terminals “and if I may at this juncture, on behalf of the Hon. Prime Minister and Government, we would like to express our outmost gratitude to Mr. Ellon Musk and SpaceX for his willingness to help Tonga restore internet at this most difficult and challenging time for internet connectivity. These terminals are planned to be deployed at strategic locations throughout Tonga to ensure connection and communications are maintained, particularly for the disaster response operation.”

 Ms. Monalisa Palu of Ministry of Health (MOH), Director of Communication Dept, MEIDECC Mr. 'Alifeleti Tu'ihalamaka, Mr. Sione Hufanga from UNDP and CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma'u. 

SpaceX and Starlink is a global satellite broadband internet service provider company originally from the United States owned by a prominent engineer Elon Musk. 

Technical staff from SpaceX and Government are currently configuring the instalment of these equipment, and expected to be launched next week.

END. 

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.

Director for Communications, Mr. ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka on testing of siren speaker under NEWS Project – ‘Ohonua ‘Eua.

September 14th, 2021. Director for Communications, ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka and Senior Engineer Stan Ahio successfully tested the siren station at ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua on Thursday 9^th of September 2021 in conjunction with Japan Radio Company (JRC), the contractor awarded and installed the early warning siren system. 

Video record of the siren sound coverage test, ‘Ohonua ‘Eua, approximated position from siren – 310m

Mr. Tu’ihalamaka is grateful with acceptance of the testing carried in achieving the prime objective of the project “in realizing the swift transmission of warning and safety information on natural disasters by installing these early warning sound alert system covering the vulnerable low land area of ‘Eua specific to ‘Ohonua, where other towns are safer for having higher grounds”.

Mr. Tu’ihalamaka also expressing his gratitude to the Tonga Power Limited and Electrical Commission in facilitating electrical power installation to all sirens across the Kingdom at their own cost in the efforts of saving lives for such disaster.

Mr. Kusaba Yasutaka of JRC handed over the VHF radio communication equipment to MEIDECC office, ‘Eua.

A new set of VHF handheld radio including external antenna, spare battery, removable charger and other accessories were tested on-site and handover to MEIDECC ‘Eua office for emergency communication that allows this office to communicate with key emergency stakeholders across the Kingdom on a multiple of private programmed channels.

The short trip to ‘Eua Island also allows the Ministry to carry out its annual ships radio inspection and a meeting with maritime radio users of the island on briefing the importance of the maritime radio communications in joint efforts with Director for Meteorology, Mr. 'Ofa Fa’anunu.

Director for Meteorology, Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu with the maritime radio users of ‘Eua.

Mr. Fa’anunu encouraged the attendees by briefing his department’s role and responsibility to assist them when they are out at the sea fishing or whale watching tour. He reminds them that Meteorology department have a 24/7 shift of rosters standby for any notification on any sea travel in and out of Nafanua Port simply to note their time of departure and expected time of arrival at destination or return.

“This will allow the Department and Search and Rescue agencies to make better approximation of your locations for urgent rescue mission when it is needed”, Mr. Fa’anunu added. 

Mr. Falemaka of Angaha, an active maritime user who operate his own business in fishing and whale watching sector commented – “I do commit to the using of VHF radio for communication while out at the sea to make I can operate my business without fear of not returning home safely to my loved ones. We really need these knowledge on how to operate these radios onboard and we welcome with both hands the awareness and training in place for our fishermen and whale watching colleagues”. 

The Ministry is planning an awareness and training program to roll out in the next few months on a joint effort with key Government Ministries including Meteorology, NEMO, MOI and Fisheries.

ENDS.

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications.

Hon. Poasi M. Tei Approved the Declaration of Tonga’s National Spectrum Plan 2021.

September 7th, 2021. Hon. Poasi M. Tei, Minister for Communications (MEIDECC) today launched Tonga’s National Spectrum Plan 2021 under the Communications Act 2015 and Communications Radio Spectrum Rules 2019.

Hon. Tei is pleased with the plan in place by the efforts of the Ministry “In performing its functions under the Communications Act 2015 and Communications Radio Spectrum Rules 2019, to ensure that the management of radio frequency spectrum is in a manner that is non-discriminatory and economically efficient”.

National Spectrum Plan 2021 Cover Page and Declaration

The National Spectrum Plan 2021, was developed by the Ministry of Communications, guided by the ITU technical assistance program. Local network operators were also considered and made firm contributions to the plan, as required by the regulations.

CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula P. Ma’u said, “This National Spectrum Plan 2021 is a review of the Spectrum Plan 2015 draft, with reference to the ITU Region 3 international frequency allocation table and will continue to evolve in line with the provisions of the ITU Radio Regulations for the Asia Pacific Region 3 from time to time, including national footnote provisions at the interest of the Kingdom”.

The National Spectrum Plan 2021 will be maintained by the Ministry in according to the regulations; and be published on its website.

ENDS.

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications

Hon. Poasi M. Tei Launched WanTok Tonga

September 3rd, 2021. Hon. Poasi M. Tei, Minister for Communications (MEIDECC) today launched the WanTok communications services of the TokoWireless Netork, formerly EiZinet Network, the third telecommunications carrier in Tonga, in addition to Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel Tonga.

WanTok is branded with various communications services offered by TokoWireless including with low-cost calls, chat and SMS locally and overseas. In addition, there is a new low cost and easy to use remittance / money transfer solution branded as WanTok Money.

Hon. Tei is pleased with the launching of WanTok “to promoting and sustaining a more competitive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector for Tonga and further developing and provide improved quality of service and cheaper tariff (price) particularly for the end-users (consumers).”

Mr. Dennis Fuapau, Head Of Commercial Wantok Pacific Corporation

Speaking at the launch Mr. Dennis Fuapau, Head of Commercial at WanTok Pacific Corporation in Tonga commented: “As the world changes, so do our communication needs. I’m really pleased to be spearheading change for the Pacific’s communications landscape - at the helm of a Pacific Island owned business. As Pacific Islanders, communication is critical to us, we need to ensure that we can stay in touch with family and friends here and abroad.  WanTok will make it even more cost effective for our people to stay in touch. Of this – I am really proud.”

Launch of Wantok Pacific Corporation group photo

Ezinet Network acquired Airchord Communications in 2018 where Airchord was operating under its brand name Oceancell. Ezinet was instrumental with re-connecting the communications system of Tonga to the rest of the world during the submarine cable cut in 2019 where it took out the services of TCC and Digicel for a few days.

By December 2020, Ezinet changed to its current registered name TokoWireless, a fully licensed Communications Network operator and Tongan owned.

Two prime objectives of the establishment of Tonga’s first submarine cable network system, which was commissioned by His Majesty in 2014.

ENDS.

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications

September 03, 2021. Toko Wireless (Tonga) and WanTok Networks (Vanuatu) Form WanTok Pacific Corporation to Launch New Network Operator and Provide Full Suite of Additional Telecom Services.

The newly formed WanTok Pacific Corporation (WPC) is launching a dynamic mobile, broadband and money transfer service for the people of Tonga and Vanuatu. Taking a bold, brave and fresh approach to telecoms across the Pacific Region, the WanTok offering will allow users to communicate cost effectively and offer a new way to receive money.

Launching in Tonga and Vanuatu simultaneously, the new service provides a local mobile network, with low-cost calls, chat and SMS locally and overseas and the ability to add up to 4 other international mobile numbers.  In addition, there is a new low cost and easy to use remittance / money transfer solution called WanTok Money.

WanTok Mobile will allow users in Tonga and Vanuatu to stay in touch with friends and family across the Pacific Islands to the USA, France, UK and of course, to Australia and New Zealand.

WanTok Money in partnership with KlickEx Pacific – a trusted money transfer operator is a safe and transparent digital payment ecosystem that allows users in Australia and New Zealand to send, save and receive money into Tonga and Vanautu. Sending money from the USA will follow shortly.

Speaking at the launch Mr. Dennis Fuapau, Head of Commercial at WanTok Pacific Corporation in Tonga commented: “As the world changes, so do our communication needs. I’m really pleased to be spearheading change for the Pacific’s communications landscape - at the helm of a Pacific island owned business. As Pacific Islanders, communication is critical to us, we need to ensure that we can stay in touch with family and friends here and abroad.  WanTok will make it even more cost effective for our people to stay in touch. Of this – I am really proud.”

As well as WanTok Mobile and WanTok Money, the new company today launched its new brand identity and new broadband plans for consumers and businesses, as well as new services to follow, including WanTok Beats (music) and WanTok Go (movies).

WanTok Pacific Corporation has a very experienced senior management team on board that will also look to expand and invest across the whole Pacific Region. Current investments have seen state of the art infrastructure upgraded and put in place, with new cell towers built in Nuku’alofa and ‘expensive’ off-island bandwidth now connected.

The company has also become a new member of the GSMA (the global organisation for mobile operators) and has also been issued an IR.21 licence – meaning its mobile number ranges of +676 555 xxxx in Tonga and +678 875 xxxx in Vanuatu are recognised globally.

“This launch is the result of an incredible team working together, and although I can’t thank them all I would like to thank the WanTok team, Digicel and TCC in Tonga and to say a special thanks for the support and commitment from the Regulator in Tonga – Mr. Paula Ma’u and his team at MEIDECC,” Mr. Fuapau concluded.

For more information visit:

www.wantokmobile.com OR download WanTok Mobile App from Google Play & Apple Stores.

www.wantokmoney.com

www.wanton.vu

www.wantok.to

ENDS.

ABOUT WANTOK PACIFIC CORPORATION (WPC):

Headquartered in Port Vila, Vanuatu, WanTok is an MVNO across the South Pacific region.

The WanTok system or ‘wantokism’ is derived from the Solomons Pijin term for ‘one talk’, meaning from the same language, and implies giving preference to kin in the expectation of a series of reciprocal obligations being fulfilled. 

We provide mobile and banking solutions that are second to none, along with wireless broadband capacity, reliable cloud hosting services and managed network services in both Vanuatu and the Kingdom of Tonga. WanTok is continually working to stay ahead of the curve, enlisting advanced technologies to fully serve its customer base’s primary use communication service requirements.

With WanTok Mobile and WanTok Money, we offer customers the ability to have free calls and messages to other WanTok Mobile users (on network), and low-cost calls and SMS to non WanTok Mobile users. WanTok Mobile combines the functionalities of a traditional messenger or chat app with so many more features. This allows the customer to access anyone, anywhere around the world, and is all wrapped up in one simple and easy to use app. In addition, our WanTok Money facility offers customers a low cost, easy to use solution and is one of the fastest payment systems in the Pacific.

Our key goal with WanTok Money is to economically modernise cash payments and distributions, to increase financial inclusion in the Pacific region. 

Everything we do is about connecting people – online, by mobile or through transferring money. WanTok connects you to the people you care about – friends, family, or business partners, through the dialect of the modern digital world.

Contacts:

 Issued by the: TokoWireless Ltd.

September 2, 2021. A three-day training on Maritime Radio Operator for seafarers was held on August 25 – 27 at Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute (TMPI). The training brought together TMPI students, agencies, and interested maritime stakeholders to solidify knowledge of how to operate maritime radios.

The training introduced Communications Regulations and all communications equipment used on maritime ships and boats such as Very High Frequency (VHF) radio system, High Frequency / Single Side Band Radio (SSB/HF), Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and Personal Radio Beacon (PLB’s).

Department of Communications Acting Technician Mr. Fe’iloaki Litili, the trainer of this training said the training was conducted based on a request from TMPI in collaborating with Ministry of Fisheries.

“In order to be certified by the Maritime Department, every single person must participate in a Radio Operator Training. Some of the participants have used radio for more than 20 years without attending any radio operator training but they were able to share knowledge and experience making this training more exciting”.

Director for Communications, Mr. ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka added – “This training is part of the Ministry’s effort in providing basic but crucial knowledge for maritime radio operators in different levels in not only encouraging regulation compliance but to also equip radio users with the knowledge in efforts towards Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS)”. 

Mr. Tuíhalamaka also added that the department have conducted an awareness workshop and a similar training for Vavaú maritime radio operators successfully in March 2021. It leads us to reach out this efforts to the outer islands community to be aware and benefit from the applied regulations while at the same time gaining knowledge and skills to become a maritime radio operator.  

After completing the training, participants awarded with a Restricted Radio Operator Certificate for Proficiency (RROCP) valid for 5 years, from the Ministry of Communications (MEIDECC).

RROCP holders can validate his/her certificate once expired by attending the same training without taking the exam to refresh knowledge on the contents and be updated with the new maritime radio technologies in place.  

Participant’s list:

ENDS.

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications