Asia Pacific

According to an unconfirmed report by Dom-Tom ADSL French Polynesias Tikiphone has signed a partnership agreement with France Telecom-Orange which will see the former benefit from the larger company's technical and business expertise. Previously in January 2012 UK-based Vodafone Group announced that it had agreed a strategic partnership with new wireless firm Pacific Mobile Telecom (PMT) effectively extending the Vodafone brand to one of the most remote territories in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition with reference to the arrival of 4G in French Polynesia a six-month test phase is expected to begin in a few weeks so that manufacturers can assess on the ground feasibility of the technology. In other news three state owned telecoms firms mobile operator Tikiphone Tahiti Nui Satellite (TNS) and internet service provider (ISP) Mana are expected to be consolidated under the Vini name from 20 April 2013. Tikiphone launched a 2G network on Tahiti in 1995 and went on to become only the third South Pacific nation after Australia and New Zealand to inaugurate a 3G network when it launched in 2009. As at 31 December 2012 Tikiphone claimed a subscriber base of 227600 and offered 2G coverage of 62 islands covering 98% of the population. In the twelve months ended 31 December 2012 it reportedly generated revenues of XPF9.4 billion (USD100.9 million).