Internet Outage Crisis
Parts of Tonga have been experiencing an internet blackout for more than two weeks due to damage to an undersea cable caused by an earthquake. This outage has left a third of the country’s population without internet access, significantly impacting local businesses and daily life.
Compounding the Issue: Starlink Shutdown
The situation worsened when the Tongan government ordered the Starlink internet satellite company to cease operations until it obtains the necessary licence. This decision has further restricted internet access in the affected areas.
Affected Regions
The island networks of Vava’u and Haʻapai have been cut off from the internet since June 29 due to the undersea cable damage. These regions rely heavily on this connection for their internet services. The government is currently awaiting the arrival of a repair vessel to restore the submarine cable.
Starlink’s Response
On July 10, Starlink notified its users in Tonga that it had been instructed by the country’s regulator to disable internet services. The shutdown of Starlink services has exacerbated the internet connectivity crisis, leaving many residents and businesses without a reliable alternative.
Efforts to Restore Connectivity
The Tongan government continues to work on resolving the issue and restoring internet services. The arrival of the repair vessel is eagerly anticipated as it will play a crucial role in reconnecting the affected island networks and alleviating the current hardships faced by the local population.
Also learn about Senior North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea.
