The University of the South Pacific signed an agreement to further its partnership with Fiji International Telecommunications Limited (FINTEL) to upgrade its internet service from STM1 (155 Mbps) to STM4 (622 Mbps).

The signing took place at the Laucala Campus in Suva on 7 November, 2011.  

Under the agreement, FINTEL will provide USP with Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN) Capacity and Network Access services which include landing capacity and facilities interconnection services.

This will enable the University to access its own capacity on AARNet at the FINTEL cable landing station and further enhance USP’s connectivity and reach to its member countries.

Speaking at the signing, the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra highlighted that USP has always appreciated the spirit of partnership it has with FINTEL, which allowed the University to achieve another milestone in terms of ICT and bandwidth capacity at USP.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the University had formed an earlier partnership with FINTEL in 2005. This upgrade was to support distance education for students and to take advantage of the AARNet (Australian Academic Research Network) connection - a fibre optic cable network.

Professor Chandra described the partnership as a mutually beneficial one for both the organisations.

“For USP, the partnership marks a significant upgrade in the University’s internet capacity and we hope that this partnership continues in the future,” he added.

In his remarks, Mr Ioane Koroivuki, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FINTEL, agreed with the sentiments shared by the Vice-Chancellor.

He expressed FINTEL’s appreciation of the faith and trust shown by the University towards the ongoing partnership.

Mr Koroivuki said FINTEL was happy to be part of USP’s upgrade in moving from STM1 to STM4 which enables the University to supply internet to students and meet its requirements.

“As a service provider, we take pride in supporting the ventures of the University in its endeavors to be the institute of choice,” he added.

Highlighting the role played by USP in the region, Mr Koroivuki said that this is similar to the way FINTEL positions itself to support government and education initiatives in the Pacific.

The signing was attended by representatives from both the organisations including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Regional Campuses), Dr Esther Williams and the Director of Information Technology Services at USP, Mr Kisione Finau.

Source: http://www.usp.ac.fj/news/story.php?id=907