Internet prices in Samoa could become lower following the approval of the Samoa Submarine Cable Company (S.S.C.C.) as the designated dominant service provider for the wholesale international internet capacity market for the Tui Samoa Cable.

Samoa Submarine Cable Company (SSCC) is a private company registered in Apia Samoa which will build, manage and operate the Tui-Samoa submarine cable between Apia Samoa and Suva Fiji on behalf of the Government of Samoa; the main trunk will support branching units to Wallis and Futuna and Vanua Levu, Fiji. 

SSCC will operate a Cooperative Sustainable Wholesale Model (CSWM) with the mandate to deliver fast, reliable and affordable internet services to stimulate ICT innovation and development as an enabler of economic growth and social prosperity for the people of Samoa.

The Regulator Lematua Gisa Fuatai-Purcell approved this and a notice was issued last week by her office confirming this.

The Regulator's decision on the Reference Interconnection Offer (R.I.O.) 2023 from S.S.C.C. could have a positive impact on the prices of internet for Samoans who are currently having to pay high prices for connectivity.

"The Regulator, having considered the R.I.O. 2023 (RIO2023) filed and submitted by the Samoa Submarine Cable Company (S.S.C.C.) for wholesale international Internet bandwidth capacity, hereby approves the RIO 2023," the order reads. 

"The RIO 2023 outlines the terms and conditions under which S.S.C.C. will interconnect with other licensed service providers in accordance with the Act."

The Regulator noted the rationale behind the decision, citing that the R.I.O. 2023 is "fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory". 

"The RIO 2023 is in the public interest and the RIO 2023 will promote competition in the telecommunications market in Samoa. 

"The Regulator is of the view that the RIO 2023 would satisfy market demands for telecommunications in Samoa and benefit both customers and the country as a whole. 

"Other authorised telecommunications providers will be able to access submarine cable capacity through RIO 2023 at a fair and acceptable price. This will result in consumers paying less for Internet access and the quality of the Internet service in Samoa."

The Regulator has ordered S.S.C.C. to publish the approved RIO 2023 on their website, comply with and implement the approved RIO 2023 and also make available necessary information to the public in understanding the R.I.O. 2023 when requested. 

The RIO 2023 became effective from 14 of August 2023. 

According to the Legislation, the Telecommunications Act 2005 ("the Act") sets forth the obligation of the dominant service provider in the telecommunication markets in Samoa. 

Section 25 (1)(d) requires the Regulator to make orders designating dominant service providers in relevant markets based on market share and other factors determined in accordance with section 26. 

"Order of the Regulator NO.2021/T05 declares the designation of Samoa Submarine Cable Company (S.S.C.C.) for Tui Samoa Cable as a dominant service provider for the wholesale international internet capacity market."

Pursuant to section 32(g) of the Act, the Regulator is to ensure that dominant service providers in a telecommunications market for interconnection publish a reference interconnection offer in accordance with section 37 of the Act and any regulations, rules, and orders applicable to interconnections. 

Section 37(1)(a) states that every dominant service provider designated in accordance with section 34 shall prepare a reference interconnection offer for approval by the Regulator within the time period specified by order of the Regulator.