Digicel Tonga Limited has become the third shareholder of Tonga Cable Ltd (TCL), joining the Government of Tonga (GoT) and Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) after finalizing an agreement at a signing ceremony on Friday, 3 February 2017.

In attendance was the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni, Minister for Public Enterprises Hon Poasi Tei, TCC CEO Sione Veikoso, Chairman Digicel Tonga Christian Fruean and CEO Digicel Tonga, Ben Kealy.

Tongal Cable Ltd looks after Tonga’s submarine cable system connecting Tonga with Fiji, spanning approximately 827 kilometers. The sale of shares to Digicel will enable extension of the fibre optic cable to outer islands including Vava’u and Ha’apai as Digicel continues to strengthen its communications and digital foothold in Tonga.

Deputy Prime Minister for Tonga, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said the outer islands would benefit from the sale.

“Both Digicel and TCC now have the same shares in the business with the monies received by the GoT from the share purchase, being used to extend and focus on its domestic cable in Tonga, which should see coverage and reach out to areas beyond Tongatapu and into the islands including Vava’u and Ha’apai,” he said.

Digicel Tonga’s Chairman, Mr Pepe Christian Fruean is thrilled with the outcome and sees this as a further commitment to Tonga’s economic and social development.

“Digicel is delighted to partner with the Government of Tonga and the TCL board to drive the financial and operational performance of TCL.”

“We are also delighted that this partnership will allow Digicel to deliver more innovative and exciting services to our customers all over Tonga,” he said.

CEO Digicel Pacific, Michael Murphy sees the investment as important for Tonga.

“Digicel remains committed to providing exceptional service to our customers in Tonga and we see this investment as a key enabler to deliver more reliable, improved and innovative services for the people of the Kingdom of Tonga with the associated social and economic benefits this will bring to Tonga.”

Digicel expanded to Tonga when it acquired Tonfōn Communications, which was part of the Shoreline Group of Companies owned by King George Tupou V at the end of 2007.

The Digicel Group is a communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific.