Papua New Guinea has moved into a new phase of digital connectivity following the rollout of a OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service at the Frieda River Project in the Sepik region, marking a major step forward for remote communications in the country.
The deployment was delivered by TE (PNG) Limited in partnership with SAT ONE, introducing the first NICTA-approved enterprise OneWeb LEO satellite service in Papua New Guinea.
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| PNG enters advanced satellite era with OneWeb Low Earth Orbit rollout |
The development follows regulatory clearance from the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), which approved TE PNG to conduct a OneWeb fixed land enterprise service trial, making the Frieda River installation the first major resource-sector application under the approval.
Located in one of PNG’s most isolated areas, the Frieda River Project stretches across Sandaun and East Sepik provinces, where steep mountain ranges, dense rainforest and vast river systems have long made traditional telecommunications infrastructure difficult to establish.
Project developer Frieda River Limited (FRL) said surrounding communities, including Sokamin and Amaromin, remain among the most remote in the country, with no road access or airstrips, forcing residents to travel long distances on foot to access basic services. Communication at the site has traditionally relied on HF radio and limited satellite systems.
With the introduction of Eutelsat OneWeb technology, the project now benefits from low-latency, high-reliability connectivity designed to withstand challenging terrain while supporting operational coordination, safety systems, logistics and project development. The system also provides a pathway for future digital expansion into nearby communities.
FRL Country Manager Dr Joel Hamago said the upgrade addresses long-standing operational limitations at the project site.
“For FRL’s site, communications have historically depended on HF radio and limited satellite options which is an operational constraint for safety, logistics, and community engagement. FRL’s adaptation of OneWeb’s LEO technology came at a critical phase of the project development. Once we get that running for site operations, we will consider expanding these services to our project communities as this is a critical infrastructure.”
TE PNG Managing Director Robbie Huxley said the rollout represents a major milestone for Papua New Guinea’s communications landscape, particularly for remote industries.
“We’re proud to be the first national company to receive NICTA approval for a OneWeb (Eutelsat OneWeb) Low Earth Orbit fixed enterprise land service and to bring this capability into Papua New Guinea. This is a significant step forward for the country in terms of high-performance, low-latency connectivity for critical operations.
We’re delivering this in close partnership with Sat.One as our upstream carrier, combining global capability with strong local implementation to ensure these services are reliable, scalable, and properly supported on the ground.
Reliable connectivity has always been a challenge in remote parts of PNG. With the continued support and guidance of NICTA, this milestone represents the formal introduction of advanced LEO services into the country, opening up new opportunities for industry, government, and communities.
We’re also pleased to be working alongside Frieda River Limited on this project, supporting the development of the Sepik region through improved connectivity that will have a meaningful impact operationally, economically, and at a community level.”
The Frieda River rollout is being viewed as a key example of how enterprise-grade satellite technology can overcome PNG’s difficult terrain, offering reliable digital access where terrestrial networks are not viable.
With the system now active, stakeholders say the technology is expected to strengthen safety, improve operational efficiency, and potentially extend digital inclusion opportunities to some of the country’s most isolated communities as adoption expands across sectors.