Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has revealed plans of the administration to install an additional submarine cable to increase connectivity between the Maldives and rest of the world.
In her public address on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, Minister Shauna highlighted the challenges all nations are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The minister said the pandemic has significantly raised the reliance on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and shown the difference in technological standards in the nations.
In her speech, Minister Shauna noted the technological transformation the Maldives has undergone since the introduction of ICT in the country 78 years ago, including the installation of a submarine fibre optic cable to connect the Maldives to the world as well as the establishment of a fibre network in the country. She credited the private sector for introducing the services and said more islands are being connected to the fibre network, resulting in the majority of the population receiving broadband internet services, which has also benefited small and medium-sized businesses.
The minister also highlighted the significance of other digital technologies including mobile phones, 4G and 5G services. Noting the improvements that are still needed in the Maldives, Minister Shauna said the government aims to lower the price and improve the quality of internet services and install an additional submarine cable. She said the projects of the administration to improve ICT will pave way for further progress in the country.