Internet woes in French Polynesia

5:28 pm on 18 August 2016

Internet users in French Polynesia's outer islands report frequent and prolonged problems with their connections.

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands. Bay of Nuku Hiva.

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands. Bay of Nuku Hiva. Photo: Copyright: sorincolac / 123RF Stock Photo

The territory's daily newspaper reported this week internet connections were down for more than 24 hours to the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Australs and the Gambier archipelago.

La Depeche reported that none of the internet providers could explain why there was such an interruption.

The paper also reported that mobile phone links in the Austral islands had been cut.

The unreliability and poor quality of the internet links had prompted users to launch petitions to denounce the situation.

A business owner in the Marquesas said last month a limited connection was only working half of the time.

The paper said tourism operators were frustrated because booking systems relied on internet links.

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