PNG DataCo has officially decommissioned the Australia-Papua New Guinea Submarine Cable 2 in Port Moresby after 16 years of operations.
The fiber-optic cable was a point-to-point direct connection between PNG and Australia that was originally the ‘long haul’ Pac-Rim-West submarine system that connected PNG to the world.
It was once the country’s main internet highway, commissioned in 2006 under Telikom PNG, Telstra Australia and Telikom New Zealand exceeded its capabilities, proving to be one of the country’s information gateway for over 16 years.
“It has reach its life span and so we are trying to retire the cable now,” says PNG Dataco CEO Paul Komboi.
Komboi also thanked everyone who have contributed to bringing the cable to PNG 16 years ago.
Jessie Wangua the a/KTHL Managing Director, in a statement, also acknowledged the commitment and efforts by Telikom PNG in securing APNG2 to PNG.
“This system has lived out its purpose constructively,” says Wangua.
“Those staff past and present that worked on this cable system have done so well for our business and country.”
“Thank you for your service,” added Wangua.
He also commended PNG Dataco for a job well done.
“To Dataco, your management and staff of this cable system and successfully migrating services to the Coral Sea Cable System has proven your capabilities to transformation,” said Wangua.
“Well done Dataco.”
As the APNG 2 comes to an end, it signals a new era in internet communications, giving way to the Coral Sea Cable System.
Kumul Telikom Holdings (KTH) Limited in a statement said the decommissioning of the APNG2 cable means transformation.
“At KTHL level, we embrace transformation objectives of our government for our people and country.”
“This is now realized in our efforts to rationalize our businesses – wholesale and retail fronts.”
