Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamal has stated additional submarine cables will be laid in the Maldives to improve international connectivity.
Speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable held by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam, Minister Maleeh highlighted the important role played by Information Communication Technology (ICT) in conveying important information to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister noted ICT has helped to connect individuals virtually during a time physical meetings have been restricted, adding internet usage has doubled amid the pandemic.
The minister said although the increased usage has led to added challenges in providing quality network services, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the Maldives have worked towards providing services of a good quality, with provisions such as free data allowances and recharge discounts. He noted mobile internet and broadband services were provided in all inhabited islands of the Maldives during the pandemic.
Speaking further, the minister highlighted maintaining international connectivity amid the increased usage due to the pandemic has also led to additional expenses, which can be reduced by laying additional submarine cables. Therefore, he said efforts are underway to lay additional submarine cables to improve bandwidth locally and internationally and strengthen network connectivity across Maldives.
Discussions held during the ministerial roundtable included the role of ICT amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of digital technology and connectivity in speeding up economic recovery. The roundtable was attended by Secretary General of ITU Houlin Zhao, Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Communication Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Manh Hung and senior officials of the ICT industry of several countries.