16 April 2025
Digicel PNG, operated under Telstra, is set to invest PGK20 million to enhance its 4G network infrastructure in Lae, which is both the capital of Morobe Province and Papua New Guinea's second-largest city. This initiative aims to improve connectivity in a key urban area, reflecting the company’s commitment to expanding its services across the nation.
According to a report in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Lorna McPherson, senior vice president and chief sales officer at Digicel PNG, highlighted that this network upgrade is part of a broader investment strategy. Since Telstra acquired Digicel Pacific in 2022, the company has invested PGK370 million into its network, significantly enhancing telecommunications services in the region.
In addition to the upgrades in Lae, Digicel PNG has also expanded its 4G network in Port Moresby, constructing 115 new mobile towers over the past two years. These developments aim to provide better coverage to underserved areas, increasing the company’s footprint across the country. Notably, the telco recently extended its 4G coverage to all 21 provinces in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in September 2024.
Currently, Digicel PNG's 4G network covers over 80% of the population of Papua New Guinea, according to the report. CEO Tarik Boudiaf remarked on the significance of these investments, stating that enhanced connectivity is facilitating better communication, access to remote education, and opportunities for digital commerce for both individuals and businesses.
"By enhancing connectivity, we are not only improving digital access but also contributing to the nation’s social and economic development,” said Boudiaf.
As Digicel PNG continues to invest in its infrastructure, the focus on expanding 4G coverage underscores the importance of digital connectivity in driving socio-economic progress and integrating Papua New Guinea into the broader digital economy.
