[ad_1]
NUKU & # 39; ALOFA, Tonga: Tonga is in virtual virtual darkness after breaking a submarine cable, cutting the kingdom of the Pacific Islands from almost all mobile phone and Internet services .
Although life without the Internet can be considered a paradise for many, Tonga relies heavily on their links to the outside world for their daily supply and essential tourism revenue.
"We are all strongly connected to the Internet to do business and for the government," said Mary Fonua, chief editor of Matangi Tonga's online news service, on Wednesday (January 23rd).
"There is no Facebook, which allows Tongan diasporas to communicate with each other, companies can not order, airlines can not accept reservations for pbadengers or freight."
While the authorities are searching for the cause and are struggling to find a solution, they have turned to a small, locally managed satellite connection.
Meanwhile, non-essential social media sites such as Facebook have been blocked in order to preserve the bandwidth they so badly need.
Restricted access also posed big problems for money transfers for families who depend on the income of parents working abroad.
"It's an absolute disaster for Tonga, a national crisis," Fonua said.
Tonga Cable, which administers the 827 km cable between Tonga and Fiji, said Internet traffic should be prioritized until repairs are completed. Meanwhile, social media sites could be blocked, while the country's 110,000 people rely on makeshift connectivity.
"Eighty percent of our international traffic comes from social media," said Paula Piukala, director of Tonga Cable, Radio New Zealand.
"We could block Facebook, YouTube and things like that in the meantime so we can maximize the satellite's low bandwidth on what's important for the country."
Salesi Fineangano, acting head of operations at Bank of South Pacific Tonga, said telex transfers could be completed via a satellite connection at the bank's headquarters in Papua New Guinea.
Officials said it could take up to two weeks to repair the cable.
Source link
