What we need most, faster internet service or better hospitals and schools [1]
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - 10:45. Updated on Friday, May 2, 2014 - 10:09.
Editor,
Each day I read about the problem with the insufficient, lack of or the non-existence of Utility Services in many islands and villages in the Kingdom; Village Water System especially to remote islands and villages away from Nuku'alofa, Electricity and sewer services needs improvement. Certain infrastructure need attendance; School buildings, and school facilities need major upgrade and maintenance leaves very little to be proud of.
While these are going on or not going on, I hear this multimillion dollar "Fast Internet Service Project". Granted, some people in Tonga can't wait an extra minute to get on line. But compare that to thousands of villagers who for years have been hoping for better and less expensive utility services.
I am wandering, in this internet thing, how faster is going to be fast enough for Tonga.
If a BCA (Benefit Cost Analysis) was done? What was the number?
Upfront, we see a huge Capital Cost to be paid of in a number of years and a recurring Operation Cost.
I see two ways of meeting these financial obligation; 1) the project creates jobs and 2) a substantial saving in efficiency.
Will this "Faster Internet Service" create job or just faster service/ Will there be a substantial saving because of internet efficiency due to "Faster internet Service"?
I am now wandering why I spend extra money on a car that can go from 0 miles/hour to 60 miles/hour in 60 seconds and can go up to the speed of 150 miles/hour here in American Samoa when the speed limit is 30 miles/hour and suicidal to go at any speed over 50 miles/hour.
Do we really need a "faster internet service" and much more so than improvement to our infrastructure, hospitals, schools etc.,?
Sione Lousiale Kava
slkava [at] hotmail [dot] com