Fiji

ETC Activities

The Fiji Islands comprise 333 islands in the South Pacific. The population of Fiji is approximately 870,000 people (Fiji Bureau of Statistics, 2015). The capital of Fiji is Suva located on the main island called Viti Levu. Viti Levu is home to approximately 70% of the country's population. The second largest island is Vanua Levu. The main airport is located in Nadi on the western side of Viti Levu. The second major airport is in Nausori, just outside of the capital Suva.

Tropical Cyclone Winston struck the Pacific island of Fiji on Saturday 20 February 2016. The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) was activated on 15 March with the World Food Programme (WFP) co-leading the communications cluster response with the Government of Fiji for TC Winston.

In 2017, the ETC worked with the Fiji NDMO to improve their HF radio network and communications room at NDMO headquarters in Suva. Since that time the ETC has supported the NDMO to run emergency telecommunications training for response actors.

Contact details and social media channels for the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO):

The ETC is focussed on preparedness activities in Fiji and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

Current Operations
Asset 681
Emergency
Key Documents
Infographic
Asset 767
SitRep
Asset 772
SitRep
Asset 772
Report
Asset 767

ICT Profile

Country background
Country name
Fiji
Capital city
Suva
Name of national disaster management agency

Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)

Name of telecommunications ministry

Department of Communications

Name of telecommunications regulator

Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF)

Population

902,899               

Source: World Bank 2021 

Country narrative

Fiji is located south of the equator in an area known for the frequent occurrence of tropical cyclones with damaging winds, rains and storm surge. Fiji was affected by devastating cyclones multiple times in the last few decades. Fiji is situated in a relatively quiet seismic area but is surrounded by the Pacific “ring of fire,” which aligns with the boundaries of the tectonic plates. These boundaries are extremely active seismic zones capable of generating large earthquakes and, in some cases, major tsunamis traveling great distances. Local faults can also generate damaging earthquakes from time to time. Fiji is expected to incur, on average over the
long term, annual losses of US$85 million due to earthquakes and tropical cyclones. National efforts are being made for to better facilitate, coordinate and manage national disaster risk reduction and disaster management activities for disaster resilience. Efforts are being made to establish development programs aimed at building capacities at national, divisional, district and the local and community levels to ensure the safety and security of the Fiji population and its infrastructure.
Source: World Bank and Fiji NDMO

Currency

FJD (Fijian Dollar)
Source: ISO

INFORM Risk score

2.80 (low)
Source: INFORM Risk 2021

International Calling Code

679

internet country code

.fj

Electrical standard

Voltage: 240V, 50 Hz, Plug type: A, B

Local UN/NGO ICT WG in place

No

CWC WG in place

No

Logistics profile information

https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/Fiji

Key ICT statistics
Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8.4
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

114.2
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1.4
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

Mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

55.7
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

GSMA mobile connectivity index score

60.2 (med-high)

Source: GSMA Intelligence 2019

3G coverage % of population
Regulations and rules
Description

This describes some of the regulations and rules related to emergency telecommunications in Fiji.

Regolations/Rules
Type of regulation
Disaster management
Description

This Act seeks to make better provisions for the government and relevant agencies to perform functions and duties in relation to natural disaster management.

Description

The Plan provides a clear vision for adaptation and identifies priorities to be addressed in partnership over the next five years, and beyond. 

Type of regulation
Telecommunications
Description

The Fiji Government decided to strengthen socio-economic growth through its re-farming process that will achieve the migration of analogue TV channel to Digital TV in the coming future, LTE, and other TV stations.

Policy name

Tampere Convention - Fiji not a signatory

Description

The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations came into force 8 January 2005, following the ratification by 30 countries.

The Tampere Convention calls on States to facilitate the provision of prompt telecommunication assistance to mitigate the impact of a disaster, and covers both the installation and operation of reliable, flexible telecommunication services. Regulatory barriers that impede the use of telecommunication resources for disasters are waived. These barriers include the licensing requirements to use allocated frequencies, restrictions on the import of telecommunication equipment, as well as limitations on the movement of humanitarian teams.

Description

According to Fiji’s national aviation authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), flying a drone is legal in Fiji provided requisite authorizations are taken. 

Communications service providers
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Digicel Fiji
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Digicel Group
Service description
Digicel Fiji provides mobile services, offers messaging, voice, mobile-money, coverage and roaming, and prepaid and postpaid plans. The company also sells phones via retail outlets.
Coverage map (provide URL)
Y
Mobile money service available
Yes
Mobile money service info
Y
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Vodafone Fiji
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Amalgamated Telecoms Holdings
Service description
Vodafone Fiji Limited provides personal and business mobile telecommunications services in Fiji. The company offers mobile teleconferencing, mobile Internet, hello tunes, voicemail, corporate ICT solutions, data roaming, mobile broadband, roaming, and sub
Coverage map (provide URL)
-
Mobile money service available
Yes
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
Vodafone Fiji
Service description
Vodafone Fiji Limited provides personal and business mobile telecommunications services in Fiji. The company offers mobile teleconferencing, mobile Internet, hello tunes, voicemail, corporate ICT solutions, data roaming, mobile broadband, roaming, and sub
Fibre optic network
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
Telecom Fiji Ltd.
Service description
Telecom Fiji Limited is one of the largest facilities-based providers of fixed line communication and networking services in Fiji. High-bandwidth services are delivered through an expansive Ethernet-over-copper footprint.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Fixed line operator
Company name
Telecom Fiji
Company description
Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) is the only fixed line operator in Fiji. TFL is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Limited (ATH), and operates Fiji's only Public Service Telephone Network (PTSN). 
Broadcast radio
Country name
Fiji Broadcast Corporation
Radio station name
FBC
Official public broadcaster
Yes
Service description
The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) is the public broadcaster in Fiji. It operates six radio stations; two in each of the major local languages.
Band
AM and FM
Broadcast frequency
92.8MHz, 93MHz, 93.2MH, 93.4MHz and 558 KHz
Geographical reach
95% of national population