Cook Islands: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project

Sovereign Project | 50110-001

The Asian Development Bank is working with the Cook Islands to provide people with low cost and high quality internet service. The project is helping to build a submarine cable connecting the Cook Islands to the internet, and is providing the technical expertise to operate the system.

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50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific50110-001: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Bhattacharya, Sibesh
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country
    Cook Islands
  • Sector
    • Information and communication technology
Project Name Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project
Project Number 50110-001
Country Cook Islands
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project
Government of New Zealand US$ 10.00 million
Loan 3632-COO: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project
Ordinary capital resources US$ 15.00 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Information and communication technology / ICT infrastructure
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming No gender elements
Description
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact Improved telecommunication in Cook Islands
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome Internet service cost reduced and quality improved.
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs The Cook Islands' portion of the Manatua Cable System connecting Samoa and French Polynesia, which includes additional spurs and branching units to connect Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, constructed and commissioned.
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects This is the fifth ICT project developed by PARD. Based on similar projects in Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Palau/FSM during the construction (installation) phase the environmental impacts are expected to be site specific and limited to the route of the cable laying, landing sites, and landward cable routes. Prior to the installation/construction stage, the EMP developed during PPTA will be updated during the marine route survey and detailed design. Any data gaps identified during the PPTA will also be filled at this time. Operation phase impacts will be confined to the land-based cable stations.
Involuntary Resettlement The project through a submarine internet cable will link the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands to Samoa, where interconnection to the international internet hubs in Fiji and Hawaii will occur. The activities under the proposed project will mostly occur under the deep sea and some activities near the shore. The construction of cable path and landing station in Rarotinga and Aitutaki will be on public or government land to minimize any land acquisition. The project is proposed as Category C with no anticipated involuntary resettlement impacts.
Indigenous Peoples The project will build a submarine internet cable to link the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands to Samoa, where interconnection to the international internet hubs in Fiji and Hawaii will occur. The project is not expected to impact any distinct and vulnerable IPs. No indigenous peoples plan is therefore required.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation This project is still awaiting Loan effectiveness Two of the 4 conditions for effectiveness have yet to be met (signing of the C&MA and signing of the SLA). The project team is optimistic that this Loan becomes effective in Q4 2018. ADB no objection for the supply and installation of a submarine cable system will be issued.
Responsible ADB Officer Bhattacharya, Sibesh
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division PATC
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management
Mr. Kevin Carr
PO box 120
Cook Islands
Timetable
Concept Clearance 07 Jun 2016
Fact Finding 28 Aug 2017 to 01 Sep 2017
MRM 03 Oct 2017
Approval 15 Dec 2017
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 28 Sep 2018

Loan 3632-COO

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
15 Dec 2017 31 Oct 2018 07 Nov 2018 30 Sep 2020 31 Dec 2021 -
Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 15.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 15.00 29 Sep 2021 12.30 0.00 82%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 29 Sep 2021 12.36 0.00 82%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory - - - -

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (July 2019-June 2020) Audited Project Financial Statements Oct 2021
Amendment to the Loan Agreement for Loan 3632-COO: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Sep 2020
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (July 2018-June 2019) Audited Project Financial Statements Jan 2020
Project Agreement for Loan 3632-COO: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project Project/Program Agreements Oct 2018
Loan Agreement (Ordinary Operations) for Loan 3632-COO: Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Oct 2018
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Nov 2017
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Project Administration Manual (As of Board Approval) Project/Program Administration Manual Nov 2017
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Oct 2017
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Concept Paper Concept Papers Jun 2016

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project: Environmental Monitoring Report Environmental Monitoring Reports Sep 2020
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific Project: Land Acquisition and Compensation Completion Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Jun 2020
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Initial Environmental Examination Environmental Assessment and Measures Nov 2016

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
SUPPLY & INSTALLATION OF A SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM BETWEEN SAMOA & TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNEIA, WITH SPUR S TO NIUE, RAROTONGA, AITUTAKI & BORA BORA Loan 3632 04 Apr 2019 TESUBCOM, USA (TYCO ELECTRONICS SUBSEA COMMUN | USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES Ministry of Finance & Economic Management 12,865,797.03 12,865,797.03

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Improving Internet Connectivity for the South Pacific: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Oct 2017