Noro, Munda and Gizo residents in the Western Province are with limited or without internet connectivity for almost two weeks now. Damage to the Domestic Network Cable linking Auki, Noro and Taro will take weeks to repair as the Cable Company awaits the CL Lodbrog currently engaged in Tonga. CEO, Keir Preedy says it is unfortunate the fishing vessel dropped its anchor where it was not supposed to, causing the widespread internet outage. From Munda, Jeffery Wickham a resident and a member of the provincial assembly says people are finding it difficult to withdraw money causing a halt in transportation services and other basic services needed for the economy. “It is bad, really bad for us here. If this goes on for another few weeks, I don’t know how people will be able to manage”, Wickham said. Provincial Assembly Member, Rence Sore says Western province is a tourism hub and operators will be affected as they need to stay communicated to their customers. “Apart from the government offices, there are private offices, civil society organisations and NGOs. They need to stay connected”, Sore said.
At the most, internet connection via the domestic network is not expected to be restored until July.
