Technological and Telecommunications Developments in the Cook Islands

Telecom Cook Islands Chief Executive Officer, Jules Maher, spoke to Ngariki Ngatae about developments in telecommunications in the Cook Islands. Following is part two of the interview covering the introduction of 3G and the possibilities that exist with access to up-to-date telecommunications technology.

One of the exciting technological developments on the horizon is the introduction of a 3G mobile network into the country. Telecom Cook Islands’ (TCI) CEO, Jules Maher, described the process behind the introduction of the network. According to Maher, the Cook Islands currently uses what is known as EDGE technology, which stands for Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. He added, “It’s what they call 2.5G – 3G is where we want to be next.” A trial of the new mobile network will begin in April and Maher added they were “hopeful” the trial would work, since going ahead with the plan to introduce 3G depends on the success of the trial. Maher says the speeds to access data on a mobile phone that will become available will be as good as what is available in New Zealand. “What we’ve been thinking of is that it’ll be like five sites... and as money permits we’ll then expand on that. One thing about 3G is it operates off a higher frequency so the signals don’t go through concrete and coconut trees too well. So you’ve got to have more towers [that are] closer together and more powerful.” For this reason Maher doesn’t foresee there will be total 3G coverage from day one. The trial in April will run for approximately two months, but Maher says he’d like to see the whole network up and running in time for the Pacific Leaders Forum in August. “We’ll give the best we can do as far as speed and capacity is concerned – we think we’ll probably increase our satellite capacity in June.”
The current mobile post-paid plans at TCI charge around 50 cents per megabyte over the allocated data limit (for example, a 40MB data limit for the cheapest plan). While Maher admitted that this rate was not “super cheap” he said that if people use the service a lot then TCI will then be able to afford to bring the prices down. Maher said that tourists arriving on the island with smart phones are also a big market who will take advantage of 3G, adding that, “data is actually, it is the growth area.” Currently, pre-paid mobile customers do not have access to use data on their mobile phones however TCI is working on the technology and pricing plans for this. “We haven’t thought about the pricing there yet but you’d imagine it would have to start off maybe around $1 per MB or something. I don’t know... I’m not sure yet at the moment whether we’ve given too much thought about that as to how it compares with other parts of the world but certainly we’re trying to do our best to be the best in the Pacific Islands.”
Maher commented that once 3G is up and running with full coverage he predicted that many would use their mobile phones for all their telecommunications needs, with a smart phone replacing the need for a laptop or PC at home and for some, also replacing the need for a land line. “The other thing is, when visitors come here – particularly locals coming home for a few months – they can actually just pick up a local sim, put it in their phone and away they go – much cheaper, they don’t have to be paying the roaming rates.”
Maher placed an emphasis on the people at TCI as being key to its success. “One of the challenges we’ve got because we are such a tiny company – we’re trying to do so many of the things that the big companies do, [but] with limited resources. But we’ve got an absolutely fantastic team here and that’s why we’ve been chosen as a 3G beta test site by our mobile provider. Because they recognise that our team here is really smart... They’ve built a pretty robust network, they’re always looking to improve and I think [TCI’s mobile provider] just love working with them.”
The main areas of benefit for the country with the introduction of new telecommunications technology – including the 3G and O3b technologies – into the Cook Islands, according to Maher, are diverse. He expressed that parents living in the Pa Enua who have children living abroad can now keep in touch with them fairly easily through technology that is available. “It would actually send a message to those people living in Australia in New Zealand [that] it’s not so ‘backward’ back in the outer islands after all. Maybe it’s a place I could come back and settle in.” Locally-based internet businesses are also gaining popularity as they can be managed completely from within the country, but still tap into international markets. Maher says he has actually had people express interest in being able to run their internet business from Atiu, if fast internet becomes available on the island. Maher commented, “Much of that is necessary [in] bringing Cook Islanders home... There’s a creation of jobs that attracts more Cook islanders here who would otherwise say, ‘for an interesting job we’ve got to go somewhere else’. That’s a possibility... Personally I’d love to think that it results in first of all slowing down or stopping the net outflow of people and then over time it slowly starts to attract people back in because they see, ‘hey I’m not isolated. I can do whatever I want in terms of connectivity and running a business from anywhere in Rarotonga or anywhere in the outer islands.”
Maher suggested that the tourism industry would benefit due to having the capabilities to be able to connect to “better, faster booking systems”, increasing their reach and communications capacities with partners all over the world. A further benefit for all, but especially youth, is being able download music and videos and access sites like YouTube more easily. Maher expressed excitement at the possibilities that exist in using technology to improve efficiency within government. “Administration of outer islands, education, health – that could all become a huge tool for them. To reduce costs, but [also] improve the quality of government.”
Maher says the benefits of up-to-date telecommunications technologies are far-reaching, on a wider scale. “Research says that for every 10% increase in Broadband connections in an economy, you’ll get something in excess of somewhere between a one and two percent increase in the overall gross domestic product. [Telecommunications has] also helped to grow the economy. It is quite significant.” From his observations within the local industry Maher felt that one of the things holding the Cook Islands back the most is having enough experts within the community who can actually take full advantage of what the technology offers. “We want to make sure that we partner with experts in the community to assist and get feedback from them on how we can make their lives easier... There are some very smart young IT people on the island and it would be wonderful if we could keep them here and create stuff.”
Maher expressed enthusiasm for the direction the Cook Islands is moving in the world of technology. “I’m sensing now that people are talking more and wanting to do different stuff and work with us. I’m really keen to do that – it’s really quite exciting some of the possibilities there.”

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