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Date Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 5:32 PM From: David Main <David@CSL.WS> To: mlizarza <mlizarza@darkwing.uoregon.edu>,David Main <David@CSL.WS> Cc: Steven Huter <sghuter@nsrc.org> Subject: RE: Samoa and Internet Updates >1) Could you please provide a brief technical description of Samoa's >external connectivity to the Internet - including upstream provider(s), >international bandwidth of the link(s), etc. ? If you can, please list all >of the ISPs currently operating in the country, with the information in the >following format (please define which of them have external connectivity) Samoa has a State-controlled Telecom company SAMOATEL which provides all international communication for the country via a single Satellite station (there is no undersea fibre in the region). SAMOATEL has internet connectivity agreements with two upstream providers; Telstra BigPond and TeleGlobe. Teleglobe provides the principle internet link which is an Asymmetrical circuit 2.048Mbps/512Kbps, with Bigpond providing a 256K redundant link. SamoaTel is not an ISP. ISP in WS Link Type Bandwidth Upstream ISP POP location(s) ========= =========== =========== ================ =============== Samoa.WS Satellite 1.5Mbps Teleglobe Apia Ipasifika Satellite 256Kbps Teleglobe Apia LeSamoa Satellite 256Kbps Teleglobe Apia Samoa.WS is the largest ISP with the majority of the international link. Customers connect via 22Mbps Wireless, 10Mbps Ethernet MAN, 64K-2.048Mbps leased circuits, 56K Dialup. >2) Please also list the URLs for each ISP, and the name and email address >for the appropriate administrative or technical contact Samoa.WS http://www.samoa.ws Technical contact: Raymond Hughes (raymond@csl.ws) Ipasifika http://www.ipasifika.net Technical contact: Aitken Fruen (aitken@ipasifika.net) LeSamoa http://www.lesamoa.net Technical contact: Lesa Seumanutafa (lesa@lesamoa.net) >3)What do you see as the prospects for Internet growth in Samoa; what would >help it, and what are currently the major obstacles? Prospects for internet growth? Huge - Samoa is a developing nation which is geographically isolated from most of the world. Makes internet an ideal platform for communication and knowledge sharing. Government is forward looking and seeks to develop a strong ICT policy as part of the growth of the nation. Country has major redevelopment of the countrys Telecoms infrastructure well in hand and this will improve access and quality of telephony over the next 2 years. What would help it ? Provide Undersea fibre into Samoa. Provide free internet and PCs to schools. (only four schools in Samoa offer PC training) What are the major obstacles ? Internet is expensive and slow. SamoaTEL is a state monopoly and controls all forms of communication. Current infrastructure is antiquated. Small population base with limited access to PCs. David Main <David@CSL.WS>
