The Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre (CCRC) launched its research report, Low Earth orbit satellites in the Pacific: Opportunities, risks, and governance for resilient connectivity, at the 30th Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) AGM, Business Forum and Expo.
Held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from the 13 – 17 April 2026, PITA is a key regional platform for Pacific connectivity discussions, bringing together governments, regulators, industry, development partners and more. The Australian Government is pleased to be a member of PITA and attend the AGM each year, supporting regional knowledge sharing and strengthening links between governments and industry.
CCRC’s research launched at the conference explores how LEO satellites can be most effectively integrated alongside submarine fibre cables. Key findings of the report are that subsea telecommunications cables remain the backbone of high-capacity connectivity across the Pacific, providing the lowest total cost of ownership over the long-term to meet growing demand, with LEO satellite systems a very important complementary layer - extending coverage, strengthening redundancy and improving resilience, particularly for remote areas and outer island communities, and during disasters or connectivity outages.
CCRC was pleased to collaborate with the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), Network Strategies, Hibbard Consulting and McCann Consulting International to deliver a workshop for regulators and industry representatives. CCRC shared recent research findings, while Network Strategies presented a case study from Tonga examining the impact of LEO satellite services on local operators and outlining recommended regulatory measures to strengthen domestic competitiveness. These insights supported a robust discussion on the governance and management of LEO satellite systems in the Pacific. Participants underscored the need for coordinated policy and regulatory approaches to support emerging hybrid connectivity models as technologies continue to evolve. We thank PTC and PITA for their collaboration and partnership in delivering this workshop.
Through its participation at PITA, the CCRC welcomed the opportunity to connect with key regional partners and work together to strengthen connectivity and resilience in Pacific islands countries.
Click here for the full report.
