Pacific island nations struggle to extend internet beyond major centers

Pacific Telecommunications Council President and CEO Brian Moon said that while submarine fibre cables have greatly improved regional connectivity, extending reliable internet to remote islands and outer communities remains a major challenge due to the dispersed geography of the Pacific. He highlighted low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite constellations as a practical solution where fibre deployment is not feasible.

Fiji’s Minister for Communications Ioane Naivalurua reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure rural, remote and maritime communities are not left behind, pledging continued investment in digital infrastructure. The remarks were made at the Pacific Fibre Conference 2026 in Nadi, where stakeholders discussed ways to broaden digital access across the region.