Press Release-Tonga to Host PacINET 2013

PRESS RELEASE

TONGA TO HOST PACINET 2013

Tonga will host the week long PICISOC Conference, PacINET 2013 from the 9^th to the 13^th of September 2013.  This annual event which brings together internet experts from around the region will meet in Nuku’alofa next week to discuss issues prevalent to ICT development in the Pacific.  This year’s theme “Gateway of Opportunity” is a reflection of Tonga’s latest technological advancement with the newly introduced fibre optic cable system.

According to the Director for the Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr Paula P Ma’u, “The Government of Tonga is very pleased and excited to be hosting this regional meeting here in Nuku’alofa as it will be our chance to showcase Tonga’s transition into a new era in Telecommunications.  With the Cable system now in place introducing faster internet speed, higher capacity and broader bandwidth systems, it is fundamental that measures are in place to address the global issues affecting the development of the ICT sector.  This Conference will provide the opportunity to dialogue and discuss resolutions to addressing these ICT impediments especially solutions that will positively impact Tonga and the Pacific region”, Mr Paula P Ma’u said.

ICT development is a key priority in Government’s Strategic Development Plan and such regional initiatives further complement the work of the ICT sector in Tonga.

The Conference will discuss issues in relation to IXP, IPv6, cyber security, network security, Internet Governance and Policy and internet research in the Pacific.

The Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) represents the interests of internet users in the Oceania Pacific Region and meets annually at different Pacific Island Countries each year.

This year’s PacINET Conference is being hosted and organised by Tonga’s Ministry of Information and Communications and is being financially supported by the Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), Digicel Tonga, Office Equipment, ICAAN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and ISOC, the Internet Society.  The Conference will be held at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa.

Contact:

Paula P Ma’u  

Director, Ministry of Information and Communications

• Office: +676 28 170
• Mob: +676 881 5340
• Email