Fiji
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):
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/FijiNDMO/
- Twitter: @FijiGov_RMDNDM
- Website: www.ndmo.gov.fj
- Phone: +679-3319250
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.
ICT Profile
Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
Department of Communications
Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF)
902,899
Source: World Bank 2021
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
FJD (Fijian Dollar)
Source: ISO
2.80 (low)
Source: INFORM Risk 2021
679
.fj
Voltage: 240V, 50 Hz, Plug type: A, B
No
No
https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/Fiji
8.4
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017
114.2
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017
1.4
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017
55.7
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017
60.2 (med-high)
Source: GSMA Intelligence 2019
96
Source: GSMA Intelligence 2019
This describes some of the regulations and rules related to emergency telecommunications in Fiji.
This Act seeks to make better provisions for the government and relevant agencies to perform functions and duties in relation to natural disaster management.
The Plan provides a clear vision for adaptation and identifies priorities to be addressed in partnership over the next five years, and beyond.
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.
Tampere Convention - Fiji not a signatory
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.
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.
