Vanuatu

ETC Activities

The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is located some 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands. The four largest islands are Espiritu Santo (3677sq km), Malekula (2023 sq km), Erromango (975sq km) and Efate (915 sq km). Efate is the main island of Vanuatu, where the capital Port Vila is situated. Vanuatu has six provinces: Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea. The total population of Vanuatu is approximately 272,000. The population of the capital, Port Vila, is approximately 44,000.

Vanuatu sits along a volatile seismic strip called the ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Pacific. The country is prone to significant year-round seismic and volcanic activity, with associated risks of tsunamis. There are over 2,000 seismic events reported each year, most events are small scale, although larger tremors and quakes of over 5 on the Richter scale do occur on a regular basis. The tropical cyclone season in Vanuatu normally runs from November to May. Throughout this period there is a high risk of strong winds and heavy rains with associated flooding, landslides and road closures. 

Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu on 14 March 2015 with winds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, and gusts up to 350 kilometres per hour, causing widespread devastation across the country. At the request of the Government, the ETC responded to Cyclone Pam with services and ICT coordination assistance. The ETC provided data communications for the humanitarian operation at 7 sites in the country. Three months after Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu, the ETC concluded its mission in June 2015.

Between 1-9 April 2020, Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold hit Vanuatu with winds of up to 215 kilometres per hour causing devastation to communication networks and broadcast radio services. At the request of the Government, the ETC responded to Cyclone Harold with services and ICT coordination assistance. The ETC provided data communications for affected populations on three of the worst-hit islands - Malekula, Pentecost and Santo. The ETC also assisted Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) to restore the severely damaged broadcast radio and television transmission towers and infrastructure in Santo and Malekula. This brought key sources of information for affected communities – such as Radio Vanuatu – back on air. The ETC concluded its mission on 3 October 2020.

Contact details for the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office:​

In 2016, the National Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (NETC) was established in Vanuatu as a national coordination mechanism for emergency telecommunications in Vanuatu. The lead of the NETC is the Office of the Government CIO.

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Vanuatu and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

ICT Profile

Country background
Country name
Republic of Vanuatu
Capital city
Port Vila
Name of national disaster management agency

Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)

Name of telecommunications ministry

Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO)

Name of telecommunications regulator

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) 

Population

299,882 

Source: World Bank 2019

Country narrative

Vanuatu has a population of less than 300,000 people and well over 50% of its mobile connections still access 2G services. In addition, it is one of the most vulnerable places on earth in terms of natural disasters and a substantial number of its population do not have access to electricity.

Despite this, telecoms services have progressed significantly in recent years with a liberalised market; the existence of two prominent mobile operators including Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (operating as TVL) and Digicel Vanuatu; the launch of LTE services and introduction of a rural satellite broadband service by Kacific. Over the next few years we will see an increase in both 4G LTE and 3G as 2G declines.

While fixed broadband penetration remains low in Vanuatu, the incumbent operator is slowly exchanging fixed-lines for fibre-optics and there are a number of ongoing submarine cable developments which will assist to increase speeds and lower Internet pricing.

Source: Business Wire

Currency

Vatu (VT)

INFORM RISK SCORE

4.4 (medium)

Source: INFORM Risk Index 2021

INTERNATIONAL CALLING CODE

678

INTERNET COUNTRY CODE

.vu

ELECTRICAL STANDARD

Voltage: 230V 50HzHz; Plug: Three Pin (Flat)

LOCAL UN/NGO ICT WG IN PLACE

 National Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (NETC)

CWC WG IN PLACE

No

LOGISTICS PROFILE INFORMATION

There are three international airports in Vanuatu, situated in Port Vila, Efate; Luganville, Espirito Santo; and Whitesands, Tanna. It is important to note that there is no fuel depot in Tanna, so aircrafts must have enough fuel for a return journey via a refuelling port if the first porting is Tanna. It is recommended for flights to go via Port Vila or Espirito Santo first where possible.
The two international wharfs in Port Vila and Espiritu Santo are being upgraded to meet increased demands in supplies and tourism. Both wharfs are scheduled for completion in 2017 and will include cargo warehouse facilities.
There is a shortage of warehouse space in Vanuatu. Two disaster warehouses are scheduled to be built by the end of 2017: one of approximately 100m2 in Port Vila, on the corner of wharf road; and a smaller one in Luganville, close to the Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Office.

Source: Logistics Cluster capacity assessment 2017

Key ICT statistics
Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1.6

Source: ITU ICTeye 2018

Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

80

Source: ITU ICTeye 2018

Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1.6

Source: ITU ICTeye 2018

Mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

44

Source: ITU ICTeye 2018

GSMA mobile connectivity index score

50.6 (low-med)

Source: GSMA Intelligence 2019

3G coverage % of population
Regulations and rules
Description

This describes some of the regulations and rules related to emergency telecommunications in Vanuatu.

Regolations/Rules
Type of regulation
Disaster management
Description

This act provides for the organization, functioning, powers and responsibilities of the National Disaster Committee and the National Disaster Management Office of Vanuatu, and for the elaboration of national and provincial disaster plans.

Type of regulation
Telecommunications
Description

An Act which established a new regulatory framework for telecommunications, radiocommunications and for related purposes. It established the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (“the Regulator”), its general powers and functions including other matters relating to the telecommunications sector of Vanuatu.

Type of regulation
UAV
Description

Drone use is allowed in Vanuatu, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country.

Operators must ensure that they follow the following drone laws when flying in Vanuatu,

  • Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds
  • Respect others privacy when flying your drone
  • Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas were aircraft are operating
  • You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
  • Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited.
  • Do not fly your drone higher than 400 feet
  • Do not fly your drone farther than 4km
Description

The Broadcasting and Television Act mandates the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) to administer broadcast licensing.

Policy name

Tampere Convention - Vanuatu not a signatory

Description

The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations came into force 8 January 2005, following the ratification by 30 countries.

The Tampere Convention calls on States to facilitate the provision of prompt telecommunication assistance to mitigate the impact of a disaster, and covers both the installation and operation of reliable, flexible telecommunication services. Regulatory barriers that impede the use of telecommunication resources for disasters are waived. These barriers include the licensing requirements to use allocated frequencies, restrictions on the import of telecommunication equipment, as well as limitations on the movement of humanitarian teams.

Communications service providers
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Vodafone Vanuatu
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Amalgamated Telecom Holding Limited (ATH)
Service description
Vodafone Vanuatu provides mobile solutions, mobile money transfer (M-VATU), fixed line telephony, fiber technology, WAN, LAN, IPLC solution, VSAT, PABX.
Coverage map (provide URL)
https://www.gsma.com/coverage/#491
Mobile money service available
Yes
Mobile money service info
Registration to access the M-Vatu services is free of cost. To access this service, customers can be on either post-paid or pre-paid and do not need to have a bank account. In the initial phase, M-Vatu is available in Port Vila, Santo, Tanna, Malekula.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Digicel
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Digicel Group Ltd
Service description
Digicel Vanuatu offers mobiles services, cell phones and both postpaid and prepaid cell phone plans. It provides WIMAX, 3G & GPRS mobile internet services. Off-island connectivity is provided via submarine fibre optic cable.
Coverage map (provide URL)
https://www.gsma.com/coverage/#1863
Mobile money service available
Yes
Mobile money service info
Digicel isi Mani is linked to all National Bank of Vanuatu accounts and allows customers to use their Digicel mobile to move money between their bank and mobile phone accounts.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
WanTok Ltd
Service description
WanTok Vanuatu introduced the first 4G LTE service provider in Vanuatu. WanTok provides wireless broadband capacity, cloud hosting services, managed network services, plus additional communications services.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Broadcast radio
Country name
Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC)
Radio station name
Radio Vanuatu
Official public broadcaster
Yes
Service description
The VBTC is both the national public service broadcaster and the regulator for television and radio. VBTC operates Radio Vanuatu, Studio 5 North (Luganville), Paradise FM (Port Vila and Luganville) and Television Blong Vanuatu (TBV).
Band
AM and FM
Broadcast frequency
FM100MHz, FM98MHz, FM99MHz, 3945KHz, 5040KHz, 7260KHz, 5040KHz, 1125KHz
Geographical reach
98% of national population