Telikom PNG Must Lower Internet Rates By Maurice Rondeau
(Original published in the Letters page of The National dated 11 February 2011).
By Maurice Rondeau
(Original published in the Letters page of The National dated 11 February 2011).
Telikom PNG is enjoying internet monopoly like it used to to enjoy in the mobile phone sector before Digicel came here.
It’s internet charges are incredibly high and unjustifiable.
We have an underwater cable, the cheapest means of internet transmission.
I would not have complained complained of the high charges if we were using the satellite, like the Solomon Islands.
We have always ended up as losers when it comes to such services and we should not be fooled by Telikom.
Telikom always comes with services targeting a few locations only with businesses and the rich minority in PNG.
What is the government doing about this modern way of educating its citizens?
Who will be looking at PNG websites within the country? Only a handful and not every Papua New Guinean.
The chart below shows what is currently being charged in Australia and Fiji compared to Telikom and all Internet Service Providers (ISP) under it.
All in PNG equivalent
| Provider | Monthly download limit | Charge/month | Limited/Unlimited | At Telikom Rate |
| Telikom (PNG) | 2GB | PGK400 | Limited | PGK200 (1GB) |
| Connect Internet (Fiji) | 10GB | PGK88 | Limited | PGK2000 |
| Optus (Aus) | 120GB | PGK169 | Unlimited | PGK24000 |
| Dodo (Aus) | 100GB | PGK133 | Unlimited | PGK20000 |
| Telstra, Vodavone (Aus) | 50GB | PGK142 | Limited/Unlimited | PGK10000 |
Our neighbouring Asian countries are not included as they are a lot cheaper.
Every country in the world is doing its best for its citizens to have access to the internet at very cheap rates but PNG is doing the opposite.
The ball is now in your court PNG Government, department officials and Telikom CEO
Labels: Internet