The story of how 83 islands across 1,300 kilometres of ocean bridged the digital divide — from radio waves and satellite links to submarine cables and 4G networks.
Vanuatu has celebrated National ICT Days annually since 2012, marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) observed globally on May 17. This year's Digital Week Vanuatu, themed "Digital Lifelines — Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World," brings together government, telecom operators, emergency responders, and digital experts at Independence Park in Port Vila.
The event highlights how digital technologies support disaster preparedness, cyber safety, and national development — themes made especially relevant by the December 2024 earthquake and its impact on Vanuatu's communications infrastructure. Digital Week is coordinated by TRBR and DCDT with support from Vodafone Vanuatu, Digicel Pacific, and industry partners.
Exploring digital commerce, mobile payments, and online business growth for Ni-Vanuatu entrepreneurs
Discussions on telecoms consumer protection, digital literacy, and online safety for all citizens
Industry exhibitions, tech demonstrations, panel discussions on Vanuatu's digital future and resilience
Global celebration marking the founding of the ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865
From a single state-owned telecom provider to a competitive digital ecosystem, Vanuatu's technology story is one of resilience and progress.
Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) was established in 1978, becoming Vanuatu's first and sole telecommunications provider. After independence in 1980, services remained concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville. Fixed landlines were rare and expensive. Communication between outer islands depended on HF radio or physical travel by boat. Internet access was virtually nonexistent, and government administration ran entirely on paper-based systems.
No mobile phones. No internet. Communication between islands could take days by boat. TVL held a monopoly on all telecommunications. A phone call was a luxury few could afford. Communities relied on word of mouth, physical messengers, and shortwave radio.
The 2007 Telecommunications Policy Statement ended TVL's monopoly. The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009 established the independent regulator — TRBR. Digicel entered the market in 2008, immediately slashing prices and expanding coverage. Mobile ownership surged across all islands. This single policy reform fundamentally changed how Ni-Vanuatu people lived, worked, and communicated.
Digicel's entry shook the market. Mobile phones went from luxury items to everyday tools within months. Farmers could check market prices. Families on different islands could talk daily. Emergency communication during cyclones improved dramatically. By some accounts, Digicel captured nearly 90% of mobile subscribers.
In 2011, Interchange Limited signed a landmark deal with Alcatel-Lucent to deploy ICN-1 — a 1,230km fibre-optic submarine cable from Port Vila to Suva, Fiji, connecting to the Southern Cross Cable Network. Operational by early 2014, it delivered 20 Gbps — over 200 times Vanuatu's satellite capacity. In December 2012, the Vanuatu Internet Exchange (VIX) was established, becoming the first IXP in the Pacific region. WanTok Network launched the first 4G/LTE network in 2014.
The ICN-1 cable ended dependence on expensive, high-latency satellite connections. Internet speeds increased dramatically, costs began falling, and businesses could operate online. The $30 million investment was described as a "drop in the bucket compared to the economic boom" it would create.
Digicel launched 4G/LTE in 2015, Vodafone followed in 2017, completing nationwide 4G+ by 2020. Mobile banking services emerged. The Kacific-1 satellite launched in 2019 providing backup connectivity. DCDT was created to modernise government services. In 2015, Vanuatu received a UN/ITU Award for ICTs in Sustainable Development Goals. In 2023, Digicel and Vodafone's telecom licences were renewed for 15 years. The government invested VT700M in the Universal Access Policy, targeting 99% coverage.
Facebook and messaging apps became primary business tools. Market vendors used mobile money. The government launched the Digital Transformation Masterplan. CERT VU was established in 2021 for cybersecurity incident response. But in November 2022, a devastating ransomware attack shut down all government systems for months — a wake-up call for the nation.
The December 2024 earthquake exposed the vulnerability of a single cable, temporarily disrupting internet when fire damaged the ICN-1 landing station. In February 2026, ADB and Prima signed financing for the 411km Tamtam SMART cable to New Caledonia — the Pacific's first cable combining telecommunications with real-time seismic, tsunami, and oceanographic monitoring. It extends domestic fibre to Tanna, Norsup, and Luganville. Targeted operational by December 2027. DCDT is also building Vanuatu's Digital ID system.
The Tamtam Cable represents redundant international connectivity, disaster-sensing technology built into the cable, and domestic fibre reaching more islands. The ADB financing package totals $6.4M. Vodafone has also launched Vanuatu's first satellite backhaul system. Starlink has entered the market, offering speeds of 146 Mbps. Digital Week 2026 celebrates this journey of resilience.
The contrast between life before and after digital connectivity in Vanuatu is striking — especially for communities on outer islands.
Key statistics from verified international and local sources.
Government target: 99% population coverage · VT700M invested via Universal Access Policy (TRBR, May 2025)
The companies connecting Vanuatu to the world — licences regulated by TRBR.
Formerly TVL, established in 1978. Vanuatu's first telecom provider and sole operator of fixed-line telephony. Completed nationwide 4G+ deployment in 2020. Launched satellite backhaul for remote islands. CEO Everett Whippy recently highlighted at Digital Week 2026 the challenge of maintaining communications across 80+ islands. Licence renewed for 15 years in 2023.
Entered Vanuatu in 2008 after market liberalisation. Launched 2G (2008), 3G (2011), 4G/LTE (2015). Best coverage on Efate, Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Tanna. Committed to 99% coverage under UAP. CEO Gary Sue Fong noted at Digital Week 2026 that Digicel's domestic network stayed operational during the December 2024 earthquake. Licence renewed 15 years in 2023.
Launched Vanuatu's first 4G/LTE network in 2014 on 2300 MHz TDD-LTE (Band 40). Provides wireless broadband primarily for home and business use in Port Vila and surrounding areas. Participates in the UAP rollout alongside Digicel and Vodafone.
Owns and operates ICN-1, Vanuatu's international submarine cable via Fiji. Led by CEO Simon Fletcher. Building the Tamtam SMART cable to New Caledonia (operational Dec 2027). Wholesale provider of international bandwidth. Also operates AelanSat satellite broadband service.
The Kacific-1 high-throughput Ka-band satellite (launched 2019) provides broadband coverage across Pacific Island nations. Serves as backup connectivity for Vanuatu, reaching remote areas beyond terrestrial infrastructure.
SpaceX's low-earth orbit satellite internet is now available in Vanuatu, delivering the fastest broadband speeds in the country — averaging 146.1 Mbps download and 19.3 Mbps upload in Q3 2025 according to SpeedGEO. A new option for underserved areas.
The critical infrastructure connecting Vanuatu to the global internet — managed with oversight from TRBR and DCDT.
Vanuatu's first and currently only international submarine cable. Connects Port Vila to Suva, Fiji, linking to the Southern Cross Cable Network. Owned and operated by Interchange Ltd.
The Pacific's first SMART cable — combining telecommunications with real-time seismic, tsunami, and oceanographic monitoring via ASN's Climate Change Node. Will provide redundant international connectivity via New Caledonia and extend domestic fibre to Tanna, Norsup, and Luganville.
Established in December 2012 via an MOU between the Government (OGCIO), Digicel, Can'l Vanuatu, SPIM, and Telsat Vanuatu. Facilitated by TRBR with technical support from APNIC, NSRC, PCH, Google, Netnod, PITA, and Philip Smith. The first IXP in the Pacific region. Housed at the Vanuatu Government Datacenter. DCDT provides ongoing technical assistance.
Why it matters: The VIX keeps local internet traffic within Vanuatu instead of routing it through expensive international satellite or cable links. This reduces costs for ISPs, improves speed and latency for local traffic, and fosters a local internet economy with new content and service providers.
The national government broadband network managed by the Department of Communications and Digital Transformation (DCDT). Connects all government ministries, departments, and provincial offices across Vanuatu with a comprehensive suite of ICT services.
Services include: Core IP network and MPLS infrastructure, internet access for government (STM-1 link to Sydney), VoIP telephone system, video conferencing, Vanuatu Government Data Centre management, Cambium radio links and fibre connections, wireless backhaul and Wi-Fi, VSAT for remote provincial offices, VPN connections, and IXP technical assistance to VIX.
DCDT also provides helpdesk and user support to all government line agencies, with officers stationed in provincial offices to ensure reliable ICT services across the country.
Vanuatu's Computer Emergency Response Team, established in 2021 as a unit within DCDT. Handles cybersecurity incident response, threat analysis, and has signed MOU with Vanuatu Police Force for cybercrime collaboration.
Despite remarkable progress, significant challenges remain — and Digital Week 2026's theme of "digital resilience" directly addresses them.
A single submarine cable remains a critical single point of failure. The December 2024 earthquake disrupted connectivity when fire damaged the ICN-1 landing station. The Tamtam cable (Dec 2027) will provide essential redundancy, but a truly resilient network requires continued investment.
While mobile penetration is 95%, meaningful internet access remains at 45.7% — well below the Oceania average of 78%. Devices remain expensive, digital literacy varies widely, and inconsistent electricity on outer islands limits connectivity. Internet Society gives Vanuatu a resilience score of just 49%.
The 2022 ransomware attack showed devastating consequences of inadequate cyber defence. Cyber forensic consultant Jeffrey Garae noted at Digital Week 2026: "Technology is evolving so quickly that countries are trying hard to keep up... security was not a priority." CERT VU and the DCDT are building capacity, but resources remain limited.
Fixed broadband penetration remains extremely low (~3,952 subscriptions nationally). Internet costs represent 6.22% of average income (GNI) for a basic basket. Only 30% of the top 1,000 websites can be reached from a local server in Vanuatu, below the Internet Society target of 50%.
Despite growing connectivity, many government agencies, schools, hospitals, and businesses still rely heavily on paper-based processes — printed forms, physical filing systems, handwritten records, and manual registers. Schools distribute printed worksheets rather than digital materials. Government departments process applications on paper. This reliance on physical copies creates inefficiencies, slows service delivery, increases costs, and makes disaster recovery nearly impossible. Accelerating the shift to digital workflows, electronic records, and paperless processes remains one of Vanuatu's most pressing organisational challenges.
Vanuatu is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth — regularly hit by cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Severe weather destroys cell towers, snaps fibre lines, and flattens the solar panels that power remote sites. Cyclone Pam (2015) devastated communications across multiple islands. The December 2024 earthquake damaged the ICN-1 cable landing station. Each disaster sets connectivity back months and requires costly rebuilding — a recurring cycle that demands resilient, rapidly-recoverable infrastructure.
Reliable electricity remains a major barrier to digital access on outer islands. Many rural communities have no grid connection and depend on small solar panels, generators with expensive fuel, or no power at all. Without consistent electricity, phones can't be charged, routers can't run, and tower sites rely on diesel generators that are costly to maintain and resupply. Until reliable, affordable power reaches remote communities — through expanded solar, micro-grids, or battery storage — connectivity infrastructure alone cannot close the digital divide.