Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697769079683.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Budget 2018─2019 Head No.

16: Ministry of Communications Background The Ministry of Communications (‘Ministry’) is responsible for keeping Fijians connected to each other and to the outside world by providing efficient, competitive, cost-effective and accessible telecommunication and postal services.
It is also responsible for supporting the development of Fiji’s Information, Communication and Technology Sector by providing technical and strategic support to the industry.

Trends In 2018-2019, total Ministry expenditure will amount to an estimated $65.0 million, comprising $23.8 million for operating expenditure and $38.0 million for capital expenditure.

This represents an increase of 4.9 per cent from 2017-2018 figures ($3.0 million).
This increase is attributed to funding for the Walesi and DigitalFiji programmes, which are discussed later in this briefing.

The following graphs show funding trends over the past five years.
Ministry of Communications expenditure by type, 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 70.0 60.0 50.0 n o i l l i m $ 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 7.2% 56.6% ↑4.9% change 2017–18 to 2018–19 4.9% 58.5% 10.8% 18.4% 70.8% 6.8% 90.7% 2.4% 5.6% 22.4% 72.0% 36.2% 36.6% Actual Expenditure 2014/15 Actual Expenditure 2015/16 Actual Expenditure 2016/17 Estimate 2017/18 Estimate 2018/19 Operating Capital VAT Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 1 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Ministry of Communications total expenditure, 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 n o i l l i m $ 61.9 65.0 20.0 20.1 15.2 21.5 10.0 0.0 Actual Expenditure 2014/15 Actual Expenditure 2015/16 Actual Expenditure 2016/17 Estimate 2017/18 Estimate 2018/19 Budget announcements and allocations The following section highlights some of the new Budget announcements relating to the Ministry.
Walesi The Budget allocates $19.0 million to Walesi, which allows Fijian families to access a package of free-to-air television stations via satellite or mobile device.

DigitalFiji $14.6 million has been allocated for the DigitalFiji project, a flagship programme to transform the delivery of Government services.
It will consist of the streaming of processes of a number of government agencies such as the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the delivery of host mobile applications that aim to bring Government services to all Fijians.

Expanding internet access The Budget allocates $500,000 to set up new telecentres, and $300,000 to expand internet access to 371 schools across Fiji.
Other initiatives in the 2018-2019 Budget include: Implementation Analogue to Digital Roadmap $2.0 million to support the transition from analogue to digital throughout Fiji by subsidising the purchase of set-top boxes for low-income households.
Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 2 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Cable connection Vanua Levu (World Bank) $950,000 in funding for the final phase of construction for the Suva-Savusavu cable connection via the new Samoa-Fiji cable, dramatically increasing Vanua Levu’s broadband capacity and internet connectivity.

Government Fibre Optic Network Project $500,000 for critical upgrades to the Govnet network to provide a more stable online environment.
Sources • Fijian Government (2018) Budget estimates 2018–2019, Ministry of Economy, 28 June 2018.

[Hard copy.]

• Fijian Government (2018) Your Government at Work- General Administration sector:2018- 2019 Budget Kit.

[Hard copy.]

July 2018 DISCLAIMER - This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties.

It is a general briefing only and should not be relied on as a substitute for specific advice.
The Research and Library Team shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or for any loss or damage of any kind arising from its use, and may remove, vary or amend any information at any time without prior notice.

The Research and Library Team accepts no responsibility for any references or links to, or the content of, information maintained by third parties.

Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 3