18 Mar 2015

Network restored in Vanuatu capital

9:14 am on 18 March 2015

Digicel says its network in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila is almost fully restored and teams will soon move to connect the other islands.

Communication networks were severely damaged by Cyclone Pam which hit the country five days ago.

Digicel says its off-island fibre connectivity has been fully restored and bandwidth capacity over satellite has been increased by 500%, ensuring domestic towers have sufficient network capacity available.

Digicel's Asia Pacific Chief Executive Michael Murphy says the company is working with the government and local companies to get technical staff to the outer islands so communications can be restored in as many locations as possible.

Public charging stations are also being deployed across the islands so that people can power their phones.

Workers from Vanuatu's electricity provider UNELCO repair power lines

Workers from Vanuatu's electricity provider UNELCO repair power lines Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins