Malvatumauri and TVL

Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) believes partnership with the chiefs will open doors of opportunity to better quality services; a higher education, better health and improved community development.

In a meeting with chiefs to further discuss this collaboration, TVL proved its notion by offering mobile phones with sim cards, which has a free calling circle for all chiefs present.

These chiefs came from all island councils and are recognised by the National Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs (NMCC). They will be using the phones to contact TVL and each other excluding other family members in any matter concerning telecommunication freely for 24 hours seven days every week.

TVL has coverage of 87% around the country. TVL was the first to connect to the submarine cable and with faster Internet and improved services; the community as the user is expected to face challenges linked to this expansion

But, TVL also admitted that for more than 20 years since it begun operation in Vanuatu, land dispute has been a key problem hindering coverage. That is why through this project called ‘Mauri’, TVL aims to give to the communities this time a quality service with integrity through negotiation with chiefs.

TVL said it is fully aware of the islands facing network problems. It announced it is preparing some new equipment but, to be able to build a stronger communication, the chiefs in this partnership will be responsible to facilitate issues affecting towers and safeguard its assets on each islands.

Responding to the chief’s concerns over poor telecommunication at some remotest villages in Santo and Torres, TVL assured it will fill those caps soon. “Now that we have provided you with phones, you can tell us your problems,” the chiefs were told.

TVL has been one of the biggest sponsors of education, health, sport, and cultural and social events in Vanuatu. It also declared it would be in front when there is a natural disaster.

At the end of the discussion, the chiefs were introduced to the TVL products that they would come across everyday as mobile prepaid and post paid, fixed line, broadband, Bestfren, Mi2yu, Chat Zone Service and Internet Mobile.

With the phones, chiefs are able to communicate with each other including staff at the Malvatumauri and TVL Head Office in Port Vila but not with family members and friends.