Solomon Telekom and SATSOL yet to finalize interconnection agreement

By Alfred Pagepitu

The 30-day deadline set by the Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI) for Solomon Telekom Company Limited (STCL) to finalize an interconnection agreement with SATSOL has officially expired, with no public confirmation of compliance.

This comes after a strong regulatory decision from TCSI under the Interconnection Policy Framework 2025 for Telekom to finalize the agreement with SATSOL within 30 days.

The decision highlighted that there are no valid technical or economic barriers preventing the interconnection. 

It instructed Telekom to:

•         Interconnect with SATSOL;
•         Provide access to essential facilities;
•         Sign the final agreement by June 18, 2025;
•         Adhere to principles of non-discrimination and good faith negotiation;
•         Understand that failure to comply may result in regulatory penalties.

The interconnection dispute, which originated in 2023, escalated after technical compatibility was verified in April 2024, yet commercial terms remained unresolved despite multiple TCSI interventions.

SATSOL CEO Antony Ferris welcomed the Commission’s decision when it was announced.

“We are optimistic that following the recent ruling by the TCSI Commissioner, the interconnect agreement will be finalized within 30 days.

“Interconnection is more than a regulatory requirement, it’s a moral imperative to guarantee fair access to telecommunications for all Solomon Islanders,” Ferris said.

He also noted that SATSOL had already completed full interconnection with Bmobile using the same regulatory model Telekom adopted with Bmobile in 2018.

He said the infrastructure is tested, the template exists, and the public is waiting. It’s time to connect the country.

Despite the deadline coming to an end, Telekom has not publicly confirmed whether the agreement has been signed.

In a previous written response to SIBC’s inquiries, Telekom acknowledged the request and the importance of interconnection but pointed to the complexity of integrating an ISP like SATSOL with its mobile network under current licensing standards.

“This is not a matter of reluctance, but one of ensuring that all interconnection arrangements are legally sound, technically feasible, and operationally clear, for the benefit of all parties and the public,” Telekom said.

The company added that the recently released Interconnection Policy Framework 2025 now offers a clearer roadmap and reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the matter constructively.

Meanwhile TCSI stressed that consistent, transparent interconnection practices are crucial for promoting competition, innovation, and public welfare.

Interconnection enables users to communicate across different networks, an essential function in a multi-provider environment like Solomon Islands. Without it, users are locked into closed systems that hinder affordability, choice, and access.

SATSOL is a Solomon Islands owned telecommunications provider delivering broadband and VoIP services nationwide. It operates the country’s largest wireless ISP network, and is now delivering services via fibre optic cable.

As of June 19, attention now turns to TCSI’s next course of action in enforcing compliance and ensuring that the regulatory order is upheld in full.

Solomon Telekom Company Limited has not publicly responded to the TCSI ruling.

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