PALAU IS SUFFERING FROM LACK OF INTERNET
By Jeff Barabe
Guest Commentary -- Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 7
July 30, 2015
PALAU is slipping further and further into the
technological dark ages while the leaders of this land debate the
implementation of a fiber optic cable that would provide much needed internet
access. Here are my top 12 reasons that Palau needs to implement this as
quickly as possible (I was going to make it a top 10 list but it keeps
growing).
1. Speed: The
net is growing. In 2004 the average web page required less than 1mb of data to
load. Today the same page with all of the video, ads, cookies and back end is
more than 5mb. So even if the speed in Palau is 5 times faster than today than
in 2004, it still takes longer to load home pages like Facebook, Yahoo, etc.
than it did 10 years ago.
2. Tourism: In
a survey by Luxury Traveler magazine, the number one requirement for Palau’s
desired “high value” tourists was internet—even over beaches, activities, etc.
These tourists need to keep in touch with their office and holdings and many
want to video chat with their families. In addition, many high- value travelers
are using the Cloud for files and applications that are not yet available in
Palau.
3. Hotels and
Tour Operators: Today’s travelers want to see availability, book their travel
and get a confirmation on the web. This requires integrated reservation systems
that cannot work with Palau’s current internet.
4: Medicine:
Lives can be saved and off islands referrals can be reduced with wi-fi remote
doctors and medicine. This reason alone should be enough for the health of this
nation’s citizens.
5.
Communications: Facebook, iChat, Viber, Skype, etc. and then upgrading web
pages. Palau is unable to communicate with families, friends and customers
because of slow internet. Don’t you want to video chat with your son or
daughter in the military abroad or your cousin in Oregon?
6. Computers:
Whether you are using Apple or a PC, many of the programs today need to be
online to operate. There are also updates and remote access that allow users to
get help from abroad. Not available in Palau.
7. Commerce:
How many times are you not able to get cash from ATM or use a credit card? What
impact does it have on tourist spending more money in Palau? With no access to
money, the economy suffers.
8. Government:
Need to send documents, book travel, use Cloud based operation systems
including accounting or integrate Palau’s government operations? Not going to
happen without good internet.
9. Knowledge:
Education could benefit greatly from internet. Remote teachers and lecturers,
access to the world’s knowledge and just helping to bring our students into the
real world.
10. Media:
Want to share Palau’s culture and current events? Without fast internet, we
cannot stream radio or TV programs, send news stories internationally or
develop a film and television production industry.
11. Price: Our
neighboring islands can get a 10 MB connection for $39.95. In Palau, a 1MB
connection cost over $1,000.00. Sure it will take time for the price adjustment
to occur but in the long run it will pay off.
12.
Entertainment: We all just want to watch YouTube videos, movies and have access
to music, games, and more. We want to surf the net and have access to the rest
of the world.
Now I realize
that if you are in public office, negatives are not the way to get re-elected
so here is that positive spin. If Palau obtains real internet then:
1) Voters have
better access to health care and lives are saved.
2) Voters need
fewer off island referrals for medicine.
3) Voters have
better education.
4) Voters have
more money from high value tourism.
5) Voters
witness more efficient government.
6) Voters have
better communication with family and friends.
7) Voters have
access to global media.
8) Voters get
reduced internet prices.
9) Voters can
get money from the ATM when they need it.
10) Voters have
more to do reducing crime.
11) Voters have
better access to NGO’s and funding.
12) Voters get to have fun with the internet.
The
citizens of Palau could greatly augment this list but the bottom line is that
without being connected to the modern world, we cannot participate. Worried
about price, well, Palau has always had two price points, locals and tourists.
High value tourists just want access at any price so let them carry a large
part of the burden. Leaders of this nation, please help bring Palau into the 21st
century and support a fiber optic cable while we have the chance.
(Mr. Jeff Barabe is a resident
businessman and internet user).
Source: Tia Belau Newspaper
Guest Commentary Section
Page 7
Volume 24
Issue 61
July 30, 2015
By Jose Rodriguez T. Senase
Reporter
Palau's
chance of having faster internet connectivity by hooking into the
one-time SEA-US Cable Consortium appears bleak after the Olbiil Era
Kelulau (OEK) or the National Legislature, failed to act on the Belau
Submarine Cable Bill (BSCC Bill) before the July 31, 2015 deadline.
President Remengesau has stated in a letter to the Senate leadership, that the measure needs to be approved by the aforementioned date for Palau to take advantage of the opportunity.
"MicroPal and the Office of the President are working diligently on the issues with the ADB and SEA-US, however, internally, we, national leaders need to work closely and swiftly to ensure that we do not miss out on the opportunity that will no longer be available after the August 31 deadline." the President said in his July 24, 2015 letter to Senate President Camsek Chin and EPUI Committee Chairman Senator Joel Toribiong.
"ADB has indicated that in order to be in the advanced stage of loan approved and in a position to receive ADB Board approval for the loan in September, then the BSCC bill will need to be signed into law by the end of July 31," he added.
The President said prompt action would have made the opportunity viable.
"I acknowledge that this is a tall order for us national leaders, but I would like to remind you that even if this piece of legislation is signed into law by the end of this month, we, national leaders, will still need to pass another piece of legislation during the course of August in order for the ultimate selection of the SEA-US option for any deposit payment to be made," Remengesau said.
"To summarize by passing the BSCC Bill you will not be giving up any of your political power to further review the SEA-US option during the month of August," he added.
The President said for Palau to secure a place with the SEA-US, the country and FSM will need to make a combined non-refundable deposit payment of $3.2 million, in which Palau will put $1.6 million or 50% of the amount. The deposit payment need to be made by August 31, 2015.
SEA-US is set to imminently begin construction of a state of the art submarine fiber optic cable from Asia to the west coast of the United States (US) via Guam.
The cable between Asia and Guam will pass directly north of Palau and Yap and allow cost-effective and quality individual spurs to connect each territory in the main cable line.
SEA-US is made up of first rate telecommunications providers--namely Telin (Indonesia), Globe (Philippines), GTA (Guam), Hawaiian Telecom (USA) and RTI International (USA).
They have contracted NEC of Japan to build the entire cable system for SEA-US, which is critical in ensuring best in class engineering and construction.
Remengesau said the MicroPal (Palau) team that he tasked with identifying an appropriate submarine fiber optic cable project has been working diligently with their FSM counterparts on evaluating various options.
He said that after careful deliberation, the MicroPal team has informed both President Christian of FSM and himself that the best option forward to connect Palau and Yap is with the SEA-US Cable Connection.
According to the President, the MicroPal team has been working and negotiating with SEA-US since early April.
Remengesau said that recently they have been given cost information for the capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the SEA-US project and Palau would incur approximately $20 million in CAPEX for an all-in price including water-based infrastructure, and land-based infrastructure, and even essential spare parts for future use which would reduce expenditures on such parts in the future while ensuring quick repairs to minimize service disruptions.
With lack of action from the Senate EPUI Committee chaired by Senator Joel Toribiong, it is most likely that Palau timetable a have a submarine cable connection for Internet connectivity will be moved for another time at a higher cost to the country and its people.
President Remengesau has stated in a letter to the Senate leadership, that the measure needs to be approved by the aforementioned date for Palau to take advantage of the opportunity.
"MicroPal and the Office of the President are working diligently on the issues with the ADB and SEA-US, however, internally, we, national leaders need to work closely and swiftly to ensure that we do not miss out on the opportunity that will no longer be available after the August 31 deadline." the President said in his July 24, 2015 letter to Senate President Camsek Chin and EPUI Committee Chairman Senator Joel Toribiong.
"ADB has indicated that in order to be in the advanced stage of loan approved and in a position to receive ADB Board approval for the loan in September, then the BSCC bill will need to be signed into law by the end of July 31," he added.
The President said prompt action would have made the opportunity viable.
"I acknowledge that this is a tall order for us national leaders, but I would like to remind you that even if this piece of legislation is signed into law by the end of this month, we, national leaders, will still need to pass another piece of legislation during the course of August in order for the ultimate selection of the SEA-US option for any deposit payment to be made," Remengesau said.
"To summarize by passing the BSCC Bill you will not be giving up any of your political power to further review the SEA-US option during the month of August," he added.
The President said for Palau to secure a place with the SEA-US, the country and FSM will need to make a combined non-refundable deposit payment of $3.2 million, in which Palau will put $1.6 million or 50% of the amount. The deposit payment need to be made by August 31, 2015.
SEA-US is set to imminently begin construction of a state of the art submarine fiber optic cable from Asia to the west coast of the United States (US) via Guam.
The cable between Asia and Guam will pass directly north of Palau and Yap and allow cost-effective and quality individual spurs to connect each territory in the main cable line.
SEA-US is made up of first rate telecommunications providers--namely Telin (Indonesia), Globe (Philippines), GTA (Guam), Hawaiian Telecom (USA) and RTI International (USA).
They have contracted NEC of Japan to build the entire cable system for SEA-US, which is critical in ensuring best in class engineering and construction.
Remengesau said the MicroPal (Palau) team that he tasked with identifying an appropriate submarine fiber optic cable project has been working diligently with their FSM counterparts on evaluating various options.
He said that after careful deliberation, the MicroPal team has informed both President Christian of FSM and himself that the best option forward to connect Palau and Yap is with the SEA-US Cable Connection.
According to the President, the MicroPal team has been working and negotiating with SEA-US since early April.
Remengesau said that recently they have been given cost information for the capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the SEA-US project and Palau would incur approximately $20 million in CAPEX for an all-in price including water-based infrastructure, and land-based infrastructure, and even essential spare parts for future use which would reduce expenditures on such parts in the future while ensuring quick repairs to minimize service disruptions.
With lack of action from the Senate EPUI Committee chaired by Senator Joel Toribiong, it is most likely that Palau timetable a have a submarine cable connection for Internet connectivity will be moved for another time at a higher cost to the country and its people.
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