Vanuatu has a population of less than 300,000 people and well over 50% of its mobile connections still access 2G services, reports Research & Markets.
In addition, it is one of the most vulnerable places on earth in terms of natural disasters and a substantial number of its population do not have access to electricity.
Despite this, telecoms services have progressed significantly in recent years; the country boasts a liberalised market, with two prominent mobile operators - Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (operating as TVL) and Digicel Vanuatu.
Additionally, Vanuatu has seen the launch of LTE services and the introduction of a rural satellite broadband service by Kacific. Over the next few years, an increase in both 4G LTE and 3G is forecast as 2G declines.
While fixed broadband penetration remains low in Vanuatu, the incumbent operator is slowly exchanging fixed-lines for fibre-optics and there are a number of ongoing submarine cable developments which will assist to increase speeds and lower Internet pricing.
Vanuatu is benefitting both economically and socially with improved satellite and submarine cable infrastructure telecoms being implemented. Mobile date growth is expected to remain strong in Vanuatu in the coming years.
