Papua New Guinea Communication Profile 2012

Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics
Although PNG has a relatively advanced telecom network compared with other developing nations, teledensity as well as mobile and Internet penetration remains very low. Telecoms infrastructure is limited to the major urban centres of Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen leaving rural areas very poorly served. Privatisation of Telikom began in 2001 and in 2004 an agreement was reached to sell a majority stake to South Africa-based Econet Wireless. However, the government rejected Econet's bid. In 2006 Telikom PNG, Telstra and Telecom NZ finalised a plan to recycle a section of the old PacRimWest cable connecting Australia to Guam as a new link connecting Port Moresby and Sydney. Telikom has begun phase one of a major network upgrade in PNG. Digicel is building a US$500 million mobile network, across PNG.