5 Apr 2018

ADB approves US$36m for internet in MIcronesia

10:34 am on 5 April 2018

The Asian Development Bank has approved a total of US$36.6 million in grants to help fund the delivery of low-cost, high quality internet services in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru.

The Hawaiki cable.

75,000 people will benefit from the Improving Internet Connectivity for Micronesia Project, the ADB says Photo: RNZ / Jesse Chiang

The ADB said the project was set to benefit around 75,000 people on FSM's Kosrae, Tarawa and Kiritimati Island in Kiribati, and Nauru.

The assistance is part of the Improving Internet Connectivity for Micronesia Project.

It will help install a submarine cable connection between Kiritimati Island to a proposed transpacific cable system connecting Australia and Hawaii, while financing Nauru's share of the East Micronesia Cable System.

The ADB's Emma Veve said the project would complement the ongoing and existing cable systems connecting all the major islands in the North Pacific region.

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