Digicel Tonga Limited announced that it has finalised negotiations with the Government of Tonga (GoT) to acquire shares in Tonga Cable Limited (TCL), a strategic Government asset.
Tonga Cable System is a submarine cable system, which connects Tonga with Fiji and spans about 827 kilometers. It has cable landing points at Sopu in Tonga and Suva in Fiji and was jointly funded by Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
Digicel objective is to increase internet access and bridge the digital divide for Tongans especially those living in the outer islands of Vava’u and Ha’apai. Digicel is also committed to delivering on its vision of being a total communications and entertainment provider to the region with this key strategic investment.
“Digicel is delighted to partner with the Government of Tonga and the TCL board to drive the financial and operational performance of TCL. Digicel see this important investment as a further commitment to Tonga’s economic and social development. We are also delighted that this partnership will allow Digicel to deliver more innovative and exciting services to our customers all over Tonga” said: Pepe Christian Fruean, Chairman of Digicel Tonga.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Tonga, the Honorable Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni went onto say that “Both Digicel and TCC now have the same shares in the business with the monies received by the GoT from the share purchase, being used to extend and focus on its domestic cable in Tonga, which should see coverage and reach out to areas beyond Tongatapu and into the islands including Vava’u and Ha’apai.”
Commenting on the investment, Mr. Michael Murphy, CEO of Digicel Pacific says, “Digicel remains committed to providing exceptional service to our customers in Tonga and we see this investment as a key enabler to deliver more reliable, improved and innovative services for the people of the Kingdom of Tonga with the associated social and economic benefits this will bring to Tonga.”
