Availability of and access to information and communication technologies has increased in the Pacific region over the last quarter-century. In numerous Pacific countries, the introduction of competition into the telecommunication sector enabled expansion of mobile network coverage since about 2006/7. Internet access and uptake have grown since then, although affordability and service coverage vary greatly between Pacific Island countries. Research outputs focus on mobile telephony, undersea internet cables and social media.
Projects / Initiatives
- IB 2022/07 Qualitative Interviewing during the COVID-19 Pandemic Part 1: The Literature on Telephone Interviews
- IB 2022/08 Qualitative Interviewing during the COVID-19 Pandemic Part 2: A Personal Reflection on Video & Telephone Interviewing
- IB 2021/27 University of Papua New Guinea Students’ Internet Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020–21
- IB 2021/19 Undersea Internet Cables in the Pacific Part 1: Recent and Planned Expansion
- IB 2021/20 Undersea Internet Cables in the Pacific Part 2: Cybersecurity, Geopolitics and Reliability
- IB 2020/31 The Role of Social Media in New Caledonia’s Referendums on Self-determination
- DP 2020/02 Preparing for the Referendum: Research into the Bougainville Peace Agreement Telephone Information Hotline
- Watson, A. H. A., & Chan Mow, I. (2023), Telecommunications in the Pacific Islands region, Quad Tech Network.
- Watson, A. H. A. (2022), The limited communication cables for Pacific Island countries, Asia-Pacific Journal of Ocean Law and Policy, 7, pp. 151-155.
- Watson, A. H. A., & Fox, R. (2021), Digital divide: Mobile internet speeds in the Pacific. Pacific Journalism Review: Te Koakoa, 27(1 & 2), 215-231.
- Watson, A. H. A. (2021), Telecommunication security in the Pacific region, Development Bulletin, 82, pp. 131-135.
- Watson, A. H. A. (2020), Mobile phone registration in Papua New Guinea: Will the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?. Pacific Journalism Review: Te Koakoa, 26(1), 114-122.
Mobile internet prices falling in Papua New Guinea
20 March 2024
Devpolicy Blog
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Moses Sakai
Questions about Pacific cable announcement
10 Nov 2023
Devpolicy Blog
By Dr Amanda H A Watson
Volcano Cuts Communication With Island Kingdom
21 Jan 2022
Australian Institute of International Affairs
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Dr Gemma Melvena Malungahu
Island Kingdom’s Communication Cable Repaired
16 Mar 2022
Australian Institute of International Affairs
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Dr Gemma Melvena Malungahu
Undersea internet cables connect Pacific islands to the world. But geopolitical tension is tugging at the wires
Sep 20 2021
The Conversation
By Dr Amanda H A Watson
Facebook’s monopoly danger in the Pacific
26 Mar 2021
The Interpreter
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Jemima Garrett
Australia should step up ahead of Pacific telco’s possible sale
27 Jan 2021
The Strategist
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Jeffrey Wall
SIM card deactivation in PNG and financial inclusion
23 Oct 2020
Devpolicy Blog
By Dr Amanda H A Watson and Busa Jeremiah Wenogo