A listserv links over 100 doctors in Pacific islands, serving as an early warning system on outbreaks of disease, and a mechanism for asking for advice from their colleagues. The University of the South Pacific offers distance education in member countries through remote campuses linked by phone, fax and Internet to the main campus in Fiji. The Ombudsman's Office succeeded in its legal defence, although the Ombudsman Act was subsequently repealed by Parliament. They also allow participation from the diaspora in the USA, Australia and New Zealand in the political debates of their countries. The main constraints holding up advances such as these are the high cost of ICT in the region, and lack of ICT skills.
Costs are particularly high for Internet access.
One reason is the local ISP has a monopoly, although the Government has promised to open up to competition next year. Other regional telcoms companies have prohibited the University of the South Pacific from installing links to its Intranet in their countries, because of worries about their monopoly positions. This prevents their extension students from using the USP online library and other learning tools. There are needs for developing ICT skills among technicials, policy makers, and users.