French Polynesia, situated in the South Pacific, is made up of 121 islands and atolls spread across more than 2,000 kilometres. The archipelago's geography and dispersed population contribute to the complexities faced by its telecommunications and technologies sectors. The population of around 305,000 is unevenly distributed, with the majority living in Tahiti, the largest island. The remaining populace is scattered across other islands, making infrastructure development and accessibility a challenging aspect. French Polynesia heavily relies on satellite technology for its telecommunications, due to the difficulties of laying undersea cables in such a vast and remote area. A unique innovation is the Manatua One Polynesia submarine cable, which is set to improve internet connectivity across the islands. In terms of renewable energy, the country is progressing but still has a long way to go, with only around 24% of its electricity generation coming from renewable sources. The technology sector, on the other hand, is still in its infancy, with potential for growth in areas such as digital tourism and e-commerce.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Digicel French Polynesia is a telecommunications network provider operating in French Polynesia. It is a subsidiary of Digicel Group, a global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Asia Pacific. Digicel French Polynesia was established in 2008 after the parent company, Digicel Group, acquired the Tahiti-based telecommunications company, Bouygues Telecom Caraibe. Digicel Group is privately owned by Irish businessman, Denis O'Brien.
Vini is a telecommunications network operator based in French Polynesia. The company was established in 1986 as a subsidiary of the Office des Postes et Télécommunications de Polynésie Française (OPT), a public corporation responsible for postal and telecommunication services in French Polynesia. Vini is primarily owned by the French Polynesian government, through its parent corporation, OPT. The company's primary function is to provide telecommunication services, including mobile, landline, and internet services, within the French Polynesian region. The Vini network covers 62 islands of...
French Polynesian start-up Pacific Mobile Telecom, operating as Vodafone Polynésie is a telecommunications company operating in French Polynesia. Founded in 2011, the company operates under a branding franchise arrangement with Vodafone Group.