Find Telecommunication expertise in Papua New Guinea

There are 19 main telephone lines, 342 mobile phone subscriptions and 20 internet users per 1,000 people (2011). As well as 64 personal computers per 1,000 people (2005).

Incorporated in 1955, Telekom PNG owns and operates the entire telecommunications network in Papua New Guinea. The company is wholly owned by the state and has a 50% state in mobile telecoms company B-Mobile. Telikom PNG offers landline, mobile and broadband services. The government has indicated that privatisation of Telikom PNG Ltd is an option that it would be willing to explore.

The major internet service providers are Daltron, Datec PNG, DG Computers, Global Technologies, and Online PNG. Digicel offers mobile services and has been granted a licence to start landline services. Citifone is the third mobile operator to offer services to Papua New Guinea.

Mobile communications availability in Papua New Guinea is expected to increase throughout the 21st century to eventually cover 100% of population as Digicel expands its communication towers across the countryside. In 2014 SIM penetration was below 50% of the population. However, the announcement of the licensing of a third mobile network operator in 2014 is expected to see further competition in this market, leading to increased penetration rates. While the fixed-line telephone and broadband market are small, the NTN/NBN is expected to be nearing its completion by 2017.

The National Information Communication Technology Authority is the main government body charged with regulating the telecommunications sector in Papua New Guinea.

Infrastructure improvements in the country are expected throughout the latter half of the 2010s, with mobile network operators Bemobile/Vodafone and Digicel both expected to expand their coverage footprints as they increase their network cells adding to 3G/4G coverage.

In 2014 the satellite and submarine communication systems had been attracting increased interest, as several new satellites were in the planning phase, and the submarine network was in the process of being extended via another link entering the country from the Solomon Islands. A number of company takeovers in the satellite sector since 2010 have also occurred as operators build increasing market share.