Digicel Regional CEO, Ms Shally Jannif,
Digicel CEO Fiji, Mr Farid Mohammed,
Digicel Consumer and Retail Head, Ms Charlotte Taylor,
Management and staff of Digicel Fiji,
Representatives of Tappoo Group of Companies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka!
I would like to start by thanking Digicel Fiji for having me here today as part of your journey and this milestone.
From a Suva City perspective, Digicel Fiji’s sixth store opening is another strong show of confidence in our capital. Your footprint, of course, is nationwide; there are now seventeen Digicel stores around Fiji, opened in a span of fourteen years.
What we’re seeing today is more than an opening of just another outlet. We’re seeing progress. Progress not only for Digicel – but for our people – our economy and for the strength of Fiji’s connection to the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Choosing TappooCity for its newest store is a strategic move for Digicel and a convenient choice for the people of Suva.
TappooCity is a landmark complex with many other services under one roof. By being here, you’re close to public transportation and other essential services in the vicinity. And that’s what we all look for – convenience.
Digicel offers a range of services to customers, in addition to telecom services, which include MyDigicel app, enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and music (D’Music).
As Digicel Fiji increases its digital reach, it’s contributing to the vision of the Fijian Government — to pave the way in the Pacific and eventually—the world.
As a nation — we already lead the Region in Trade, Transport and Tourism. Today, we’re fast becoming the regional hub for technology, ICT and innovation. And you’re helping us get there.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Deregulating our telecommunications, and the ICT sector, was a step in the right direction for Fiji. The consistent investment in our ICT infrastructure has also meant the cost of mobile coverage and broadband services in Fiji is amongst the lowest in the region and if not the world.
Today, we have greater accessibility, greater competition, and better services – all of which has led to cheaper call rates and competitive data bundles.
Over 95 percent of our population is connected to a mobile network. Seventy percent of Fijians use the internet almost daily. Over 40 communities are connected to satellite internet. We have reached the once unreachable population. We have given in their hands – in the form of technology – tools for business and livelihood and avenues to progress.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having amongst the best infrastructure and connectivity has given global techno-leaders – SpaceX – the assurance to set up a Starlink gateway station in Fiji. This station will provide the internet gateway to Tonga, in the wake of the volcanic eruption that severed all of Tonga’s link to the world.
Such trailblazer establishments are advancing Fiji’s position as the hub for the Region’s telecom and ICT operations.
But we didn’t achieve this by resting on our laurels. We still have to ask ourselves, what more can be done.
A digitally advanced economy can advance community-empowerment. It allows for more efficient resource management and keeps us connected to the world.
As Government, we continue to create an environment that allows investments to flourish. The incentives we provide are amongst the most generous in the Region. In other words – our policies and initiatives have the right focus.
So what can the industry players do?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the years, we’ve worked with mobile companies to share infrastructure where feasible and makes economic sense.
What we need now, is more commitment from service providers to partner with us on critical infrastructure, such as towers. This cost-sharing arrangement ensures our efforts are equally spread and more Fijians benefit.
This has the added benefit of protecting the environment from constructing infrastructure where it may not necessarily be needed. Most importantly — it reduces infrastructural costs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fiji is no by-stander, watching the world flash by, with far more advanced technologies. To stay in the game, we need to keep up. We need to make changes to the way we operate. We need to create, we need to imagine and we need to adapt with all we do.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the last couple of months – I’ve seen headlines of Digicel Fiji going beyond its traditional corporate functions.
Digicel opens new retail kiosk in Ba, Digicel Fiji Soccer team named for World Cup Qualifiers, Digicel restores international calls communication with Tonga – giving free Sims.
It is my hope that as an organisation, you continue to strive to serve. Not just serve Fiji and the Fijian people, but the entire Pacific and beyond.
With these few words ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to officially open Digicel Fiji’s seventeenth store – right here in the heart of Suva. Congratulations!
Vinaka.