Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has flagged the possibility of partially privatising Telikom PNG, stating that the state-owned telecommunications provider is not performing strongly in the country’s increasingly competitive market.
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| PM Marape Flags Partial Privatisation, Says Telikom Not Performing in PNG Market |
Addressing concerns after a recent management presentation, Marape said PNG must confront the reality that Telikom’s market share has fallen to about 50 per cent, reflecting a steady loss of dominance to faster-growing competitors.
He said the company’s declining position, despite decades of government ownership and reform efforts, signals the need for bold structural and commercial changes to restore efficiency and relevance.
According to the Prime Minister, newer telecommunications players have rapidly expanded their services and technology, while Telikom has struggled to keep pace in a fast-changing digital environment.
“Fifty years is a long time. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” he said.
Marape indicated that partial privatisation, potentially involving experienced international telecommunications operators, could introduce technical expertise, stronger management systems and improved customer service standards.
He added that the State may still retain its majority 51 per cent ownership, but external management and technical partnerships would be necessary to improve performance and unlock value.
“Let us test the market fairly and transparently and see what value can be unlocked,” Marape said.