Papua New Guinea : Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project
ATH, with its subsidiary Vodafone Fiji Limited (VFL) is the Pacific's second largest regional telecoms company. Over the last five years, ATH has successfully expanded from base in Fiji into five other Pacific countries and is now launching into Papua New Guinea, the region's largest yet least served telecoms market. The purpose of this project is to enhance and expand the provision of mobile, internet and broadband services in PNG, by enabling ATH's $400 million telecommunications venture in PNG.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Suri, Sakshi
Private Sector Operations Department
Request for information -
Approval Date
1 September 2020 -
Country/Economy
Papua New Guinea -
Sector
- Information and communication technology
| Project Name | Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project | |||||
| Project Number | 54204-001 | |||||
| Borrower / Company | ATH International Venture Pte Limited |
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| Country / Economy | Papua New Guinea |
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| Location | Nation-wide | |||||
| Type or Modality of Assistance |
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| Operational Priorities | OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration |
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| Sector / Subsector | Information and communication technology / ICT infrastructure |
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| Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | |||||
| Responsible ADB Department | Private Sector Operations Department | |||||
| Responsible ADB Division | Infrastructure Finance Division 2 | |||||
| Responsible ADB Officer | Suri, Sakshi | |||||
| Project Sponsor(s) | Amalgamated Telecom Holdings, Limited |
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| Description | ATH, with its subsidiary Vodafone Fiji Limited (VFL) is the Pacific's second largest regional telecoms company. Over the last five years, ATH has successfully expanded from base in Fiji into five other Pacific countries and is now launching into Papua New Guinea, the region's largest yet least served telecoms market. The purpose of this project is to enhance and expand the provision of mobile, internet and broadband services in PNG, by enabling ATH's $400 million telecommunications venture in PNG. | |||||
| Objectives and Scope | ||||||
| Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | ADB's Strategy 2030 has a special focus on increasing private sector investment in the Pacific islands. In line with ADB's Strategy 2030 and PNG Country Partnership Strategy (2016-2020), this project helps to improve livelihoods and enhance digital connectivity for the most poor and vulnerable sections of the society, while also improving PNG's business environment through private sector development. This project supports Operational Priority 1 (Addressing Remaining Poverty and Reducing Inequalities), as it will generate jobs for locals living in rural and urban areas in PNG. This project strongly supports Operational Priority 2 (Accelerating Progress in Gender Equality) as it increases economic empowerment of women through greater employment opportunities and improved access to ICT infrastructure. This regional project supports Operational Priority 7 (Regional Cooperation and Integration) as it expands regional investment in the ICT sector between Pacific countries, and alleviates PNG's digital connectivity to match those of its peers in the region, while improving governance and business practices in PNG's telecoms sector. |
| Safeguard Categories | |
|---|---|
| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | C |
| Indigenous Peoples | B |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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| Environmental Aspects | |
| Involuntary Resettlement | |
| Indigenous Peoples | |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation | |
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| Concept Clearance | 15 Apr 2020 |
| Credit Committee Meeting | 23 Jun 2020 |
| Approval | 01 Sep 2020 |
| Last PDS Update | 04 Sep 2020 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project: Report and Recommendation of the President | Reports and Recommendations of the President | Aug 2020 |
| Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Jan 2020 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project: Draft Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental and Social Management Plan | Initial Environmental Examination | Jun 2021 |
| Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project: Draft Indigenous Peoples Plan | Indigenous Peoples Plans/Indigenous Peoples Development Plans | Jun 2021 |
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.
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