Internet cable landing site set

The million dollars Fibre Optic Submarine Cable System construction is a critical infrastructure to the Solomon Islands, says Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

Ms Payne made the statement yesterday during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Coral Sea Cable System at the cable’s landing station at Lengakiki in Honiara.

Solomon Islands caretaker Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne officiated at the ceremony.

Ms Payne described the submarine cable as a game changing cable to the Solomon Islands.

“The cable station landing site where we are now, which soon will house one end of a four thousand seven hundred kilometer long fibre optic submarine cable,” she said.

“What that game changing cable will deliver here is faster, cheaper , and more reliable communication infrastructure here in the country.”

Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minster Rick Houenipwela acknowledges the Australian Government for meeting most of the project expenses.

“Project such as this one comes at a huge financial cost, in this regard I thank the governemnt of Australia for meeting two thirds of the local cost of the total cost of the project,” he said.

“This cable will provide Solomon islands a cheaper , high quality and reliable internet service.’

The Project costs 137-million Australian dollars – one third of which was borne by the Solomon Islands Government.

The Fibre Optic Submarine Cable will cover a distance of 4,700 kilometres, linking up Sydney, Port Moresby and Honiara.

ENDS///.