With the Belau National Museum providing a backdrop for a historical moment, Palau has joined the world of telecommunications connected by a fiber optic cable in a “switch on” ceremony attended by the Palau national leadership including the traditional leaders. The fiber optic connectivity to the outside world is a first for Palau after 20 years connected to a system of earth orbiting satellites. President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr presses down the switch on button to mark Palau

Koror, Palau- Belau Submarine Cable Corporation—a state-owned enterprise that owns the cable and wholesales its broadband capacity—has reported that its first customer was connected in early November. Palau National Communications Corporation, the island’s biggest internet service provider, became the first to hook up and has been testing its connectivity through the system. Two other customers—Palau Telecoms and Palau Wifi—have also been testing their connectivity.BSCC Chief

Hagatna - -Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia on Thursday signed an interconnection agreement with Philippine and Indonesian carriers that will allow the two Pacific island states to tap into a new submarine cable network that directly connects Southeast Asia and the United States. “The submarine fiber network will be critical to so many aspects of our life in Palau, from healthcare to education, from social networking to business,” Palau President Tommy Remengesau

Koror- As Palau has placed its bet on developing its tourism industry to fuel its economic development, many entrepreneurs small and big depends on the power of internet for the survival of their businesses. Constant access and reliability of internet is a requirement to stay relevant in the competitive world of today’s visitor industry. “Responding to an off-island customer instantly is a must. I could lose a customer if I don’t respond within 24-hours,” said Des Matsutaro,