Editing Telecommunications in Tuvalu (section)

==Tuvalu Telecommunications and ICT Development Project==

In January 2019 the [[World Bank]] approved a US$29 million grant for the Tuvalu Telecommunications and ICT Development Project which is intended to boost internet connectivity in Tuvalu, including to the country's outer islands. The project will also support investments in an international [[optical fiber]] [[Submarine communications cable|submarine cable]] to provide faster, lower-cost internet bandwidth. 

The project will include reforms of the [[Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation]] (TCC) to redevelop the government-run entity as a [[public-private partnership]] (PPP) in cooperation with an experienced international telecommunications operator, which will be selected using a competitive process.<ref name="S19-1">{{cite web |url= http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1901/S00071/affordable-faster-connectivity-for-tuvalu.htm |title=Affordable, Faster Connectivity for Tuvalu |publisher=Press Release: World Bank|date=17 January 2019|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="RNZ19-1">{{cite web |url= https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/380366/world-bank-promises-better-internet-for-tuvalu|title=World Bank promises better internet for Tuvalu |publisher=Radio NZ|date=18 January 2019 |access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref>

The project will involve the government of Tuvalu using a submarine cable system to connect [[Funafuti]] atoll to the international optical fibre network. The private sector partner in the PPP will be responsible for the design, installation and operation of the cable and network.<ref name=AM23>{{cite web|first= |last= |title= Tuvalu Fibre Optic Cable Project (TvICT) Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Rev G |work= World Bank |date= October 2023 |url= https://finance.gov.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/181024-TvICT-ESMP-Rev-G-2.pdf |access-date=14 March 2024}}</ref> The preferred option is to connect to the proposed [[Southern Cross Cable#Southern Cross NEXT|Southern Cross NEXT]] optical fibre project at [[Nukunonu]], [[Tokelau]].<ref name=AM23/> As of October 2023, further planning will be carried out to determine the exact cable route and landing site in Funafuti as described in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).<ref name=AM23/>