Editor,

WILL the people of Tonga get "free" Internet service or will they be "screwed over" once again in this new high-tech deal proposed to cost USD$27 million (WB, ADB may fund high-speed Internet, 16 Aug 2011) in the name of the Governemnt?

Will a few "elite" individuals and business sharks hijack the opportunities to benefit them financially while denying the rest of the people the wonders of the Information Age? Could it be done right this time?

Information: Not the Privilege of a Few

The Internet and World Wide Web (www) hold the keys to global knowledge once the privilege of a few who were lucky to be educated overseas. The Information Technology (IT) brings: e-business, e-commerce, e-education, e-finance, e-entertainment, and everything electronic to our computer terminals.

This is enormously more powerful than the mere use of e-mails, visiting Websites, and chatting on your mobile phone. Information is no longer the privilege of a few who controlled accessibility. A computer makes world information available "ubiquitously" (anywhere, and everywhere).

The Old Adage Says: "Knowledge is Power"

"Free" Internet should be the goal of bringing the fiber-optics cable technology to Tonga. The massive volumes of available information will enhance education a thousand folds. Computers can be afforded, but Internet connections costs are prohibitive.

I suggest that due to Tonga's miniature country size, it is not a very big place to offer free Internet access via cable or wireless. The socio-economics benefits will far outweigh the argument against free Internet, because "knowledge is power."

Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi, MBA

samokofisi [at] email [dot] phoenix [dot] edu