Vodafone Samoa

Bluesky's 3G network was part of the broader telecommunications evolution in Samoa which launched December 2011. Initially, the 3G services were marketed as "4G" due to their enhanced capabilities compared to the earlier 2G networks. The 3G network operated on the 2100 MHz band, providing HSPA+ services. The network was instrumental in expanding mobile data services across the nation, covering 98.5% of the areas where Samoans live, work, and play. As of the latest updates, there is no indication that the 3G network has been shut down, but it has been largely overshadowed by the advancements in 4G and the upcoming 5G technologies.

Vodafone Samoa, then Bluesky, launched their 4G network in August 2016. By 2020, Vodafone had injected over $8 million into its network infrastructure, upgrading all towers to LTE-Advanced and ensuring the installation of 100 towers across the country. The network's speed was upgraded to reach up to 100 Mbps, making it the largest 4G network in Samoa. The 4G network covered 98.5% of the population, with a national backbone service capacity increasing from approximately 33,000 Mbps to 45,000 Mbps (45 Gbps).

Vodafone Samoa has been actively preparing for the launch of its 5G network. In 2024, the company pledged to deliver 5G speeds for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October. The rollout plan includes the installation of six new towers in Savaii and Upolu, with a total investment of $13 million for Phase 1. The 5G network is expected to offer fast internet at low costs, support remote surgery and learning, and provide a reliable business network. A soft launch of the 5G network occurred in September 2024, introducing specific segments of the network. The full-scale commercial introduction is scheduled for January 2025. The introduction of 5G is anticipated to revolutionise various sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism, with its capacity for ultra-fast data transmission and minimal lag.