Marshall Islands: Outer Island Enewetak/Ujelang Sprints Toward the 21st Century
One of the most isolated of the Marshall Islands' atolls is now connected by phone and internet service. "Enewetak's debut call was done at approximately 3 p.m. Majuro time, between Minister Jack Ading (on Majuro) and Mayor Jackson Ading (on Enewetak)," reported Anthony Muller, CEO of the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA).
After the official call by Mayor Jackson Ading, local residents were scheduled to make free trial calls to off-island relatives, according to a NTA email to
Yokwe Online this afternoon.
The NTA crew arrived on December 21 and joined hands with Enewetak/Ujelang Atoll local Government, Minister Jack Ading, Enewetak/Ujelang Mayor Jackson Ading, and J&H Construction to launch the Atoll's Call Center.
Geographically Enewetak is far on the western edge of the Marshall Islands Ratak Chain and is actually closer to Pohnpei of the Federated States of Micronesia. "To accomplish this task is most definitely a plus for our nation," said NTA's Mack Capelle, now on-site.
Until now, residents have depended on outer island radio channels for communication to Majuro and elsewhere.
CEO Muller said that Enewetak is the latest of 7 call centers the Marshall Islands' telecommunication's company has deployed to the outer islands; the other six being Wotje, Kili, Rongelap, Jaluit, Mejetto and Santo.
The NTA board has approved another 10 sites for FY10, installations commencing latter part of calendar year 2010, with a total of 17 locations by the end of calendar year 2010.
"This will bring NTA that much closer to fulfilling its universal service obligation for the Republic," said Muller.
In his holiday message released on Christmas Eve from the Marshalls, Muller pointed to the other major development -- the fiber-optic cable project.
"This past Saturday, at approximately 2:20 p.m., the NTA and the entire Republic made history by landing the long anticipated fiber optic cable on Majuro shores. Later that evening, the vessel Tyco Durable took its course to Kwajalein. On the 23rd, it completed deployment of the branching unit connecting Majuro to the main trunk, and continued its voyage to Pohnpei. By the end of January, the fiber lay will hit Guam shores. It will take approximately one month to commission the system, then we'll move all our traffic from satellite to fiber in March...April Fool's Day, we go commercial."
- Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, December 23, 2009
