Project Objectives

The Project’s objective is to facilitate social and economic benefits for the people of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru by providing faster, higher quality, and more reliable internet connectivity via a submarine cable, replacing current less reliable satellite services.

Digital Opportunities

Through the submarine cable, new digital opportunities can emerge for these locations and their people - for example:

  • Delivery of digital services (health, education, community engagement, government); and

  • Increased trade and employment through better access to services, information, and world markets.

Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of the Project will be the people of Kosrae,  Kiribati and Nauru (including individuals, businesses, government agencies, and remote communities) who will receive improved internet quality and access.

Faster and higher quality internet will support:

  • Better disaster preparedness/management

  • Participation of women in economic and social development

  • Development of small and medium enterprises

  • Primary producers with their exports

  • Service industries in accessing new markets

  • Health and education sectors

  • Government agencies.

Environmental Awareness

An initial Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was prepared in 2017 which identified risks and concerns, assessed the social and environmental impacts and proposed initial risk mitigation strategies for the cable landing.

Updated Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) are being prepared for all sites, setting out risk mitigation strategies and actions for the Project. 

An ESMP is a document that details:

  1. The measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of a project to eliminate or offset adverse environmental and social impacts, or to reduce them to acceptable levels; and

  2. The actions needed to implement these measures.

Social Awareness

Community consultations are being held in all locations as a means of ensuring the engagement and participation of a wide range of community stakeholders, including:

  • Land-owners and occupiers

  • Local communities (including nearby or indirectly affected villages, community interest groups, road users, etc.)

  • Relevant Government departments and agencies

  • Traditional community leaders

  • Non-Government Organisations, Community Based Organisations, businesses, utility providers and other project stakeholders.

A process for reporting and resolving community complaints or grievances arising from the EMC project is set out in the Grievance Redress Mechanism.

Regular engagement with stakeholders will be undertaken throughout the full duration of the Project.

Local Operation

The East Micronesia Cable System will be jointly owned in equal proportions by the three State Owned Enterprises that will also become the local operating entities, namely:

  • The Federated States of Micronesia Telecommunications Cable Corporation (FSMTCC), also known as the Open Access Entity (OAE), is the fiber optic cable company that owns the cables for the FSM government and is responsible for installing and maintaining the fiber network in FSM, including the East Micronesia Cable system. For more information, visit fsmcable.com

  • BwebwerikiNET Limited was established in 2017 to provide telecommunication broadband services to Retail Service Providers (RSP) in the Republic of Kiribati. BNL is focused on the development and construction of its submarine cable projects (including the East Micronesia Cable system) as well as passive infrastructure network connecting the outer islands. For more information, visit bnl.com.ki

  • Established in 2017, the Nauru Fibre Cable Corporation’s main responsibility is to establish an efficient international internet service in Nauru. The NFCC will contract the construction of the marine cable on behalf of Nauru and, subsequently, own and operate Nauru’s portion of the East Micronesia Cable system.