SOCC launches submarine cable network tender

Solomon Oceanic Cable Company (SOCC) has revealed that it has issued a tender for a submarine network connecting Honiara with Auki in Malaita Provice, and Honiara with Noro in Western Province. The domestic links will extend the coverage of high speed broadband beyond Guadalcanal to cover 75% of the population of the Solomon Islands. The link to Auki is 127km, while its counterpart to Noro is 390km. The tender includes submarine links, network operating system and test equipment. According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.38% of GDP growth occurs for every 10% of the population that has a broadband connection.