Tonga Needs a Hybrid Connectivity Solution

A strategic mix of submarine cables and satellite technology is the only way to ensure robust, reliable internet access for all our islands.

The Ongoing Cable Catastrophe

I though I was not going to write on this again, but somehow I am always dragged into it.

In my previous analysis from August 2024, I explored the vulnerability of Tonga's fiber optic submarine cable infrastructure, proposing satellite broadband as a more resilient connectivity solution. Recent events have only reinforced that assessment.

As reported on Matangi Tonga, Tonga's domestic fiber-optic submarine cable suffered another outage following a series of strong earthquakes, including a 6.8 magnitude quake centered in the Ha'apai group. This marks the fourth such incident from 2019 to 2024, with a staggering 80% on average historical frequency likelihood of a cable severance recurring.

The persistent disruptions highlight the ...