Telecommunications is not strongly regulated in the Solomon’s. The regulator is Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI).
Our Telekom is the primary telecoms operator, owned by SINPF, BMobile beat Digicel in tendering to be the second operator in the duopoly since 2010 and has been operating as a secondary mobile carrier.
Independent ISPs exist – SatSOL and Hantek are the two operators who sell Internet bandwidth.
The RSIPF has their own radio network that is managed by themselves with aid from the AFP, and the NDMO recently had a CODAN HF system installed as part of a donor project from the World Bank.
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.9 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List
Telephone Services |
|
Is there an existing landline telephone network? |
Yes |
Does it allow international calls? |
Yes |
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) |
Generally very reliable |
Mobile Phone Providers |
Our Telekom, BMobile |
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage |
40% by land mass-90% by population |
Telecommunication Regulation
Telecommunications regulations in the Solomon Islands controlled by TCSI but very loosely enforced. Unlicensed radios are frequently in use but no action is taken by the authority to keep the spectrum well managed
Regulations on Usage and Import |
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Regulations in Place? |
Regulating Authority |
|
Satellite |
No |
TCSI |
HF Radio |
Yes |
TCSI |
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile |
Yes |
TCSI |
UHF/VHF Repeaters |
Yes |
TCSI |
GPS |
No |
TCSI |
VSAT |
No |
TCSI |
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required |
||
Yes |
||
Frequency Licenses Required |
||
Yes |
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Satellite phones and cell phones are the only means of communication used by UN agencies in the Solomon Islands now.
UNDP |
UNDSS |
UNFPA |
|
VHF Frequencies |
No |
No |
No |
HF Frequencies |
No |
No |
No |
Locations of Repeaters |
No |
No |
No |
VSAT |
No |
No |
No |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Internet is available but is extremely slow as the country is still not connected to the Pacific fibre network. This should happen later in 2017 but the connection is politicised and is likely to be a second-rate service. Currently the internet is via satellite – including the O3B network. Our Telekom offers broadband and Wireless data, SatSOL and Hantek offer mobile Wi-Fi AP and dedicated CPE connections.
Internet Service Providers |
||
Are there ISPs available? |
Yes |
|
If yes, are they privately or government owned? |
Private |
|
Dial-up only? |
No |
|
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) |
Dial-up |
$50 per month |
Broadband |
$100 per month |
|
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth |
Unknown |
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
The networks are more reliable these days but still would experience around six hours of outages in a week.
Coverage is good but the cost is high on both operators
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
Company |
Number of Agent Outlets by Area |
Network Strength by Area |
Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? |
Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) |
Our Telekom |
Many in Honiara |
Good in Honiara and major cities |
No (for all) |
Unknown |
BeMobile |
A few in Honiara |
Some in Honiara and outer villages |
No |
Unknown |
Our Telekom coverage as at November 2016 shown below