OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

(for immediate release – April 27, 2007)

Contact person:  Pati Faiai, Chief of Staff
Contact telephone:     633-4116

Governor Togiola attends
sub-marine cable meeting in Noumea

(NOUMEA) - Governor Togiola Tulafono joined Pacific regional leaders this week for a special two-day meeting on discussions of about sub-marine fiber cable network. The meeting was facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Alcatel Lucent in Noumea, New Caledonia. 

Endorsed by the Pacific Forum Leaders in 2005, this was one of the first high-level meetings that facilitated implementation of a digital strategy for bridging regional collaboration and integration in communications and technology with discussions on affordable and reliable telecommunications.

Governor Togiola said the meeting highlighted discussions on the potential and practical realities of connecting the Pacific Region through a sub marine fiber cable network.

“This gathering was an excellent opportunity for Pacific Island leaders to meet people in the industry that provide technological solutions,” said Governor Togiola. “It allowed us to expand our dialog with our regional neighbors for fiber connectivity amongst our Pacific Islands.”

The American Samoa Government has been taking a proactive role in the initiatives of fiber optic communication. Therefore, American Samoa’s presence at this meeting was to explore the possibility on how the presented options can complement our current plans for the future. 

Currently two sub-marine cable networks exist in the neighboring Pacific region. One cable links Papua New Guinea with Australia, and the other, the Southern Cross cable, links to Fiji.

The New Caledonia meeting discussed the potential of a regional sub-marine cable network that would link the participating South Pacific islands that would allow connection to some or all of the existing fiber networks in the Pacific. 

Other countries and territories that participated in the meeting included the three French territories --New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna-- and four Pacific Island Countries: American Samoa, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. 

Also attending the meeting with Governor Tog Iola were Mr. Aleki Sene, CEO of ASTCA, Gwen Tau’ili’ili-Langkilde, Legal Counsel of ASTCA, Mr. Rod Ghani, CEO of ExpoTech, Telecom Network Architecture, and Mr. Lelei Peau, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce.

Governor Togiola returns to the Territory this Saturday morning.