21 January 2026: Tongan Minister and CEO Lead High-Level Digital Future Discussions at PITA Meeting in Honolulu

Tongan Minister and CEO Lead High-Level Digital Future Discussions at PITA Meeting in Honolulu

NUKUʻALOFA, Tonga – 21 January 2026 – The Honourable Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry, Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi recently represented the Kingdom of Tonga at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) and Pacific Telecommunication Council Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Minister delivered keynote remarks to the regional forum, emphasizing the critical role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a foundational pillar for Tonga’s national development. In his address, the Minister highlighted his portfolio’s oversight of key public enterprises driving this agenda, including Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) and Tonga Cable Limited (TCL).

The high-level meeting served as a strategic platform to address the most pressing digital infrastructure and innovation topics in the Pacific region. Core discussions focused on:

The transformative potential and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Enhancing regional connectivity, with a particular focus on the resilience and expansion of submarine fiber cable networks.
Advancing last-mile access through Fiber to the Home (FTTH)
The intersection of reliable power infrastructure with digital
The application of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for smart and sustainable

A significant outcome of the engagement was the direct opportunity to explore potential collaborations with global and regional technology leaders and partners. The Tongan delegation held substantive discussions on future partnerships with entities including Google, representatives from DFAT Australia and the State Department of the United States, and Starlink, among others.

“This conference has been a vital opportunity to engage and learn from the innovators and investors shaping the global digital landscape,” stated the Minister. “Our presence here underscores a fundamental directive: Tonga must proactively and strategically reassess its ICT pathway. We are not merely consumers of technology; we are architects of our digital future. Reliable, affordable, and advanced connectivity is no longer optional—it is the essential tool for our economic resilience, educational advancement, and improved quality of life for all Tongans.”

The delegation’s participation reaffirms the Government of Tonga’s commitment to leveraging international forums to secure partnerships that will accelerate the nation’s digital transformation, ensuring it keeps pace with global advancements while meeting the unique needs of Tonga and the Pacific.

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