Tonga needs a US$17.6 million grant from the World Bank as part its $US32.8 million fast internet connection project, which will allow Tonga to join the rest of the world and take full advantage of what digital technology has to offer at lower prices.

The Executive Directors of the World Bank are expected to pass a decision tomorrow, 30 August 30 on whether or not to allow aUS$17.6 million grant, toward the project.

On August 23 the Asian Development Bank approved a grant of US$9.7 million toward Tonga's fast internet connection project. The balance of US$6.6 million will be paid for by the Tongan government.

Ms Gi Soon Song, the ADB team leader for the Tonga to Fiji Submarine Cable Project was very optimistic when she told Matangi Tonga, last Wednesday, August 24 that a fast internet network should be in operation in Tonga by the middle of 2013. "Once the cable system contract is in place, it would take about 18 months until it is ready for service," she said.

The question of whether the outer islands groups of Vava'u and Ha'apai will have access to the high speed internet connection, Ms Song explained that the International Gateway for Tonga will be in Nuku'alofa, but "once the cable lands on Tongatapu, it will serve for the whole country's international connectivity needs, international calls and internet. Internet traffic from Vava'u and Ha'apai will be channeled via satellite to Tongatapu . . ."

And with regards to the cost of the service to internet users? Ms Song said that the
ADB had been advising the Government and Tonga Cable Limited to maintain cost-based-pricing. "This is a requirement in the TCL's license. Once the cable provides cheap and virtually unlimited international bandwidth, new internet service providers will emerge. Tonga Power's fiber optics network will encourage more ISP services. With increased competition among the retail service providers (TCC, Digicel and new ISPs), we believe the internet price will fall significantly."