Micronesia Expands Internet Access 20-Fold as Broadband Costs Drop 99% After Monopoly Ends
Updated
Updated · Good News Network · Jul 28
Micronesia Expands Internet Access 20-Fold as Broadband Costs Drop 99% After Monopoly Ends
1 articles · Updated · Good News Network · Jul 28
Summary
Internet access in the Federated States of Micronesia has risen 2,000% since the 2014 telecom liberalization, reaching 88% of the population across more than 600 islands.
Broadband prices fell from $65 per Mbps a month to 78 cents, while mobile internet costs dropped from $705 to $30 as new competitors entered the market.
More than 1,500 kilometers of undersea fiber have been laid, and satellite networks now connect remote outer islands that had been poorly served under the former state-backed monopoly.
The expanded network is supporting digital health care, digital ID and voting services, while the East Micronesia Cable system is also set to benefit neighboring Kiribati and Nauru.