‘Tamtam’ Sub-Sea Cable to Connect Port Vila and Lifou
11 November 2022
Local company Interchange Limited (ICL) and l’Office des Postes et Télécommunications (OPT) signed a landing party agreement this week, which will allow for Vanuatu’s second sub-sea cable to land on Lifou, New Caledonia. Read more.
ICL Showcases AelanSat to Users from Remote Areas
11 October 2022
Interchange recently presented the new AelanSat satellite service at a workshop for users from remote areas of Vanuatu where internet connectivity is limited.
AelanSat Launched
23 September 2022
Vanuatu-based company Interchange Ltd (ICL) has launched its new satellite bandwidth service, AelanSat. The service was delayed in launching for some months due to COVID-19 related disruptions to global supply chains and shipping of essential infrastructure. AelanSat works in conjunction with the existing sub-sea cable ICN1 to push fast bandwidth to every corner of Vanuatu without relying on towers. Read more.
MOU signed for ICL’s second marine cable in the country
30 July 2022
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Governments of Vanuatu and New Caledonia yesterday afternoon effectively paves the way for a second submarine cable installment from Port Vila to Lifou, in New Caledonia.
The Interchange Limited (ICL) General Manager, Willie Karie, said the signing is a big step towards internet connectivity, internet security and overseas expansion.
Mr. Karie said the agreement shows the backing of both governments to facilitate ICL’s second marine cable to Lifou, New Caledonia. Read more.
Interchange Pays VT35.6M Dividend to Shareholders
6 July 2022
Subsea cable owner Interchange Limited has paid its dividend for 2022 of VT35.6 million to its public shareholders including the Vanuatu Government, Vanuatu Post Ltd and the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF). Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Johnny Koanapo and the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Jay Ngwele accepted the dividend payment on behalf of shareholders. Read more.
WanTok First AelanSat Retailer in Vanuatu
25 June 2022
Telecommunications company WanTok has signed a service agreement with Interchange Limited (ICL) to become the first retailer in Vanuatu to offer the new satellite service AelanSat. Individuals and businesses will soon be able to purchase through WanTok high-speed internet packages via satellite dish from any island in Vanuatu without having to rely on proximity to telecommunications towers. Read more.
Interchange Farewells Managing Director Fletcher
5 March 2022
Local sub-sea bandwidth cable operator, Interchange Limited (ICL), has farewelled its Managing Director, Mr. Simon Fletcher. The move follows a 9-month handover period to Interchange General Manager (GM) Mr. Willie Karié, who took over day-to-day operations of the company in June 2021. Mr. Fletcher founded the ICL consortium in 2005 with the idea of bringing nation-building telecommunications technologies and infrastructure to communities throughout Vanuatu and the South Pacific region. Read more.
ICL pays VT43M Dividend
28 January 2022
Interchange Limited (ICL) has paid VT43, 125, 000 in dividends to the Vanuatu Government, Vanuatu Post Ltd and the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) as shareholders. VNPF, as the major shareholder, received USD187, 500, while Vanuatu Post Ltd and Vanuatu Government both received USD62, 500. This is the third time for ICL to pay dividends. ICL’s General Manager (GM, Willie Karie, presented the dividends to the Prime Minister (PM) Bob Loughman representing the government, Minister of Finance Johnny Koanapo as minister responsible for VNPF and the Minister of Infrastructure and Utilities (MIPU) Jay Ngwele responsible for Vanuatu Post Ltd, yesterday. Read more.
ProRescue receives VT250, 000 sponsorship from ICL
22 January 2022
ProRescue Emergency Rescue Service has recently received VT250, 000 as sponsorship from the Interchange Limited (ICL), to support its commitment of saving lives in the community. Established in 2014, ProRescue relies on sponsorship funding to assist the community in emergency events such as road crash rescue, vertical rescue, inland water rescue, harbour rescue, industrial and domestic accidents, urban search and rescue. Read more.
MOET and ICL formalize bandwidth supply agreement
11 January 2022
The supply of bandwidth by Interchange Limited (ICL) to the University of the South Pacific (USP), National University of Vanuatu (NUV), Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) was formalized in an agreement yesterday. The MOET currently manages the supply of internet services via the interchange sub-sea cable to these institutions. Yesterday’s agreement details the supply of 200-megabit-per-second (Mbps) connection at the total wholesale cost of VT91 million for the year 2022, which had not been formalized until now. Read more.
Second Sub-Sea Cable Project Gains Momentum
3 November 2021
An International Cable Working Committee has been formed to spearhead Vanuatu’s second subsea cable (ICN2), which will connect Port Vila and Honiara, Solomon Islands. Interchange Limited (ICL) completed Vanuatu’s only sub-sea cable (ICN1) in 2014 connecting Port Vila and Suva, Fiji, and providing bandwidth to the country. ICL will also be overseeing building of the second cable. The new Working Committee is composed of the Minister of Finance and Economic Management, the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Chairman of the ICL Board and the General Manager of ICL. The purpose of the committee is to facilitate the deployment of Vanuatu’s second international sub-sea cable system through ICL. Read more.
World-Class Satellite Technology Brings New Economic Opportunities to Vanuatu
21 August 2021
Vanuatu’s 300,000 residents across its 83 islands will soon be supplied with the world’s best satellite internet technology by the pioneering Intelsat global network through the new AelanSat service, which is expected to be available through internet service providers in late 2021. For more than 50 years, Intelsat has been connecting the world with satellite technology. They’re best known for bringing monumental events, from the Moon landing, royal weddings, Live Aid Concert and Olympic Games in Sydney, into the living rooms of billions of people around the globe. Read more.
Interchange pays second dividend, announces cable upgrade
21 July 2021
Interchange Limited (ICL) has paid approximately Vt21 million as its second dividend to the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) in the last 12 months. This dividend is addition to the loan payback scheme being honored by Interchange since it was recognised as one of VNPF’s performing investments. General Manager (GM) of ICL, Willie Karie, assured in a statement that the company is doing well and will continue to be so in the future. Read more.
Interchange signs sponsorship for e-commerce symposium
6 July 2021
Interchange Limited has signed an agreement with Vanuatu Post Limited to be a sponsor of the first ever e-commerce symposium in the country. Yesterday the General Manager of Interchange, Willie Ben Karie signed an agreement with Vanuatu Post Chief Executive officer, Vira Timbaci, agreeing to sponsor the event. “With Interchange as a sponsor, there are now over 15 sponsors each involved in an aspect of e-commerce. we will be looking to make this symposium an annual thing,” he said. Read more.
AelanSat satellite service to boost internet in Vanuatu and South Pacific
19 June 2021
Vanuatu-based bandwidth supplier Interchange Limited will launch a new satellite service, AelanSat, in September 2021, promising to boost services being offered by internet providers in Vanuatu. The satellite service will ensure that fast, affordable and reliable internet is available across Vanuatu’s 83 islands and the South Pacific region, without having to rely on towers. “Satellite is the most appropriate form of communications technology for a small population over a large group of islands like in Vanuatu,” said Interchange General Manager Willie Karie. “It is more efficient and cost effective, minimises infrastructure and maintenance costs, and we will be moving with the times and the rest of the world.” Read more.
Interchange Appoints New General Manager
15 June 2021
Vanuatu-based company Interchange Limited has appointed a new General Manager, Mr Willie Karie, to take over its daily operations, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in various sectors, including in public utilities, shipping, management and business. Interchange built Vanuatu’s only submarine cable in 2014, connecting Port Vila to Suva, Fiji, where it connects the South Pacific to global communications and has since changed the face of ICT in Vanuatu. Previously, the internet was much more expensive, much less accessible and watching a video clip online was almost impossible. Read more.
Interchange gives Vt35 million to shareholders
9 December 2020
Interchange Limited yesterday distributed Vt35 million in dividends to public shareholders; Vanuatu Government, Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) and Vanuatu Post. The Managing Director of Interchange Ltd, Simon Fletcher, handed a cheque to the amount of Vt35 million to the Minister of Finance, Johnny Koanapo, witnessed by the Prime Minister Bob Loughman, and Santo-Malo MP Wesley Rasu. The handing over took place at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday morning. Read more.