Ciena, Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL), BW Digital and Vodafone Cook Islands are collaborating with the Ministry of Education Cook Islands (MoE) on a three-year plan to improve digital connectivity for 30 schools across the island country.
The companies plan to address the long-standing issue of limited and unstable internet access, particularly in the outlying islands, where some schools have relied only on satellite services. Slow and intermittent internet connectivity has prevented students and faculty from fully using online resources and communication channels, which are significant for today's learning demands.
The project will use the existing Hawaiki underwater cable, which is now owned by BW Digital, as well as the Manatua undersea cable. Meanwhile, Ciena's cutting-edge Ciena 5160 Service Aggregation Switches will be deployed in both the Cook Islands and Sydney. These switches will significantly accelerate the delivery of connectivity services, enabling a swift online learning experience. Ciena will also shoulder all ongoing maintenance and support costs for the duration of the project.
Head of Ministry at the Ministry of Education Cook Islands, Danielle Tungane Cochrane, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of this project to transform learning in the country, saying, “Having improved and strengthened connectivity for our schools will revolutionize the teaching and learning experience for each of our education sectors. We are seeing more and more of our teaching and assessment opportunities being digitized or delivered online, and having a dedicated and sustainable platform for our schools, including our tertiary and vocational providers, will mean we can confidently continue to deliver a quality education system.”
Meanwhile, Ivan Polizzi, regional managing director, Ciena Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, welcomed the joint effort and emphasized its significance: “Connecting the Pacific Islands via submarine cables is no easy task. This collaboration is an important step forward to help improve digital connectivity for the next generation of Cook Islanders and is testament to the tenacity and mutual goodwill of all the teams involved in this important project.”
Mike Schwarz, CEO of ACL, highlighted the broader societal impact of the project, which would effectively enhance students’ learning using online platforms and subsequently open more opportunities for learning.
Ludovic Hutier, CEO of BW Digital, also reiterated the revolutionary impact of underwater cables, mentioning the HoloCampus 3D telepresence learning platform introduced in American Samoa as one example. Mr. Hutier said, "The Cook Islands' project is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when technological leaders join forces to better serve our community."
The partnership between the four companies aims to open a new era of digital learning and empowerment for Cook Islands students, bridging the digital divide and providing access to educational materials previously unavailable to many.
