{"id":11540,"date":"2025-02-14T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=11540"},"modified":"2025-10-31T09:24:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T23:24:05","slug":"prioritising-disaster-resilient-communications-in-the-pacific","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/prioritising-disaster-resilient-communications-in-the-pacific\/","title":{"rendered":"Prioritising disaster-resilient communications in the Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

JACK WHELAN<\/a> | <\/p>\n\n\n\n

News of the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu reached our screens within hours on 17 December 2024. Early reports, including an OCHA Flash Update<\/a> highlighted damage to buildings and infrastructure in the capital Port Vila, with unconfirmed casualties and injuries, and emergency response efforts underway. Healthcare, shelter, clean water and telecommunications were identified as priority needs. Significantly disrupted telecommunications links \u201caffecting the timeliness of field reports from remote areas\u201d, also led to challenges in coordinating aid and assistance efforts. The single submarine internet cable[i]<\/a> connecting Vanuatu with the world was dysfunctional as the landing station housing all the servers and IT equipment was impacted by the automatic fire suppression system which activated, causing power outage and release of poisonous gases, while the cable itself was undamaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vodafone Vanuatu CEO Thomas Bruce reported on VBTC News<\/a> on the 18th<\/sup> that both Vodafone and other internet providers must explore alternative options to restore service. Some international telephone networks were re-established using an emergency backup link through the Kacific satellite system<\/a>, albeit with limited capacity and including minimal internet data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter Starlink<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Humanitarian partners mobilised specialised IT engineers to repair the critical cable link, which was re-established 10 days after the \u2018quake. While embassies, defence forces and some government departments have access to satellite telephones for emergencies, the media were receiving live and recorded transmissions from Port Vila and surrounding areas using private satellite channels, via the latest Starlink technology installed mostly at tourist resorts. Indeed, OCHA reported that authorities were unable to establish communication with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Government officials, until around 6.30pm local time on the 17th<\/sup> after Starlink was made available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commentary through social media indicated concerns that \u201csubmarine is not a disaster resilient network for Vanuatu\u201d<\/a>. It is fortunate, therefore, that Vanuatu received regulatory approval to operate Starlink services only in October 2024.  Other Pacific nations also received regulatory approval for Starlink \u2013 recently Timor Leste and Nauru, Solomon Islands in September, Tonga in August, and Fiji in May 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami in January 2022, both the international cable to Fiji and domestic islands’ undersea fibre-optic cables suffered multiple faults along some 50km. This disrupted disaster response efforts and required complex, expensive repairs taking over a month. Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni told the ABC<\/a> the loss of connectivity to the outside world was an “eye opener” for Tongans who relied on the cable. Sovaleni added he was “pretty happy that we are back online\u201d and “had some capacity via satellite but nothing compared to what we’re having right now with the cable being reconnected\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rising up the disaster hierarcy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

University of California Berkeley Professor Nicole Starosielski describes \u201cthe internet is kind of like drinking water\u201d<\/a>, highlighting its growing significance as a fundamental humanitarian tool in the immediate post-disaster response hierarchy. Amanda Watson and Ioana Chan Mow describe the three main challenges<\/a> for digital connectivity in the Pacific islands region are cyberattacks, natural disasters and cable protection from human actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The telecommunication disruptions in Vanuatu and Tonga point to the rapidly growing significance of Starlink\u2015in itself a \u2018disruptor\u2019 technology\u2015hindering the investment case for future submarine fibre-optic cable projects.  The benefits of Starlink are amplified by its resilience, portability and affordable ease of use even in the most remote island communities. Regulatory approval of Starlink services, however, represents a challenge to the business model of established telecom providers, not solely in the Pacific islands, but globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building ICT resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Vanuatu experience raises important issues with the telecoms sector in the region more broadly, but particularly concerning disaster response and resilience.\u00a0A recent Lowy Institute article<\/a> by Cynthia Mehboob, \u2018Vanuatu\u2019s digital vulnerability, Who will fund Vanuatu\u2019s second cable?\u2019 <\/em>explains the slow progress towards the country\u2019s goal of diversifying its digital infrastructure. \u201cSince 2018, the government has advocated for a second cable. The challenge lies in financing. A new cable would require substantial capital and maintaining it could raise telecommunications prices for Vanuatu\u2019s already vulnerable population\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mehboob acknowledges the attractiveness of Starlink\u2019s higher bandwidth and lower cost compared with other satellite options, while she raises important policy questions to address. \u201cDirect-to-consumer broadband bypasses traditional telecom providers and disrupts local markets\u201d. Its dual-use for civilian and military purposes raises \u201csignificant security and legal concerns\u201d. Technically, \u201cwhile Starlink may be useful as a backup in times of crisis, it cannot replace the capacity and reliability of submarine cables\u201d. Unfolding data security risks are another compelling topic for analysis in the context of current actions by its CEO from his influential position in the office of the POTUS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who will secure the Pacific\u2019s future?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe case for a second submarine cable in Vanuatu is clear\u201d introduces Mehboob\u2019s conclusion that Australia \u201chas both an opportunity and responsibility to make a meaningful contribution\u201d. Safeguarding strategic communications infrastructure is presented as a geopolitical, commercial and security commitment to its \u201cPacific family\u201d, ensuring island nations are \u201cbetter equipped to face future challenges without relying on actors whose priorities may not always align with those of the country\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Vanuatu and other countries with few economic development options, the tourism sector offers the most potential. Yet, tourism, as with most other new economy e-commerce sectors \u2013 relies on access to affordable, reliable, fast broadband internet – delivered now mainly through submarine cables. However, if this infrastructure is perceived by customers as higher risk, or fails to reach beyond the main population centres, the tourist resorts will rush to install Starlink, despite its implications and limitations longer term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended actions and further research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n