Telecommunications in Telecommunications in the Republic of Palauthe Republic of Palau

Palau National Communications Palau National Communications CorporationCorporation

PacNog Conference/Training

November 30 – December 5, 2015

Hyatt Regency / UOG, Guam

Palau IslandPalau Island

About PalauAbout Palau• 1. General Background

• The Republic of Palau (Palau) is an archipelago located in tropical western Pacific. The nearest landmasses are the Philippines (550 miles to the west), Papua New Guinea (800 miles to the south), and Guam (800 miles to the northeast). The main island group stretches some 60 miles and contains several populated islands and hundreds of smaller uninhabited islands. There are also several remote islands that are 200 to 350 miles to the southwest. The total land area of Palau is 170.4 square miles.

• Population: 19,000 as of 2014 survey.

• Language : Palauan / English.

• Currency : US Dollar ($)

• Political Status: Independent with a Compact of Free Association with United States (US)

• Telecom Operator : Palau National Communications Corp. (PNCC)

Telecom Services in PalauTelecom Services in Palau

• As a result of its self-sufficiency, PNCC was able to secure low-interest financing form the U.S. Government. In particular, several years ago PNCC secured a $39.1 million, long-term loan from the U.S. Rural Utilities (RUS) to completely rebuild and modernize the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. RUS specializes in providing financial, technical, and management assistance to utilities for infrastructure development. RUS provides traditional “asset based” financing (i.e., PNCC’s loan is collateralized by PNCC’s assets and revenues).

• PNCC’s infrastructure projects are also built according to stringent specifications and standards established by RUS. RUS standards and specifications encompass buildings, material, equipment, and systems; and are based on industry standards and codes (such as Bellcore, ITU, ASTM, TIA, and ANSI) as well as transmission, central office, and outside plant standards developed by RUS engineers.

– Fixed Line : 7000 subscribers– Digital TV : 3200 subscribers– Mobile Service : 17,000 subscribers– Internet : 5000 subscribers

Current Network Development in Palau (PNCC)Current Network Development in Palau (PNCC)

– Fiber Optics Transmission Backhaul: PNCC has installed an OC3 SONET fiber optic undersea transmission network to connect local networks throughout the islands of Palau. In particular, PNCC has installed a festooned undersea fiber optic ring around Babeldaob and a fiber optic link to Peleliu using newly available shallow-depth materials and placing methods. There is a landing site at each of the fourteen locations where the fiber interfaces with containerized carrier equipment. These facilities have the capacity for distance learning, telemedicine, and cable television applications.

– Microwave Transmission: Digital microwave radio facilities linked the containerized carrier equipment on the islands of Kayangel and Anguar to the SONET ring and, in turn, to the PNCC main switching center.

– Central Office Equipment: Two Lucent 5ESS CDX-2000 digital switches, a domestic and an international gateway, have been installed in the new headquarters building in South Babeldaob. The domestic switch also utilizes a remote switching module located in the capital city (Koror) exchange. In addition, containerized carrier equipment (SLC 2000) has been installed in fourteen locations throughout the island of Babeldaob as well as the islands of Peleliu, Kayangel and Angaur. All equipment is served through the South Babeldaob main switch.

– Trunking: All trunking is out of the tandem switch in the South Babeldaob office. The tandem switch provides CAMA/LAMA recording capabilities. The gateway switch trunks to the satellite earth station via fiber facilities. Both domestic and international facilities have SS7 capabilities.

Recent Network Development in Palau (PNCC) - continueRecent Network Development in Palau (PNCC) - continue

– Local Distribution Systems: PNCC recently completed construction of a buried outside plant distribution system in Koror and Airai. This system was designed to replace the overburdened and undersized aerial plant. The system features state-of-the-art distribution technology using a “fiber to the distribution node” design with subscriber carrier systems directly interfaced to the main switching center in Southern Babeldaob. PNCC has also constructed a “first time” distribution plant on other islands using both fiber and copper cabling.

– Support Facililities: The most significant support facility is the Headquarters and Central Office complex in Southern Babeldaob. This complex serves as the primary administrative office for PNCC and the communications hub for Palau. The facility has almost 15,000 square feet of office/public floor space and 6,000 square feet of equipment/technical space. The site also has a large warehouse/shop building for materials & supplies and equipment maintenance.

– International Connection: In 1993, PNCC purchased and installed satellite transmission equipment that allowed the expansion of telephone lines out of Palau from 10 to 24. In 1994, the earth station was completely refurbished and upgraded to a digital Standard-B station. PNCC’s earth station is fully owned and operated by PNCC. PNCC shares various digital satellite circuits, of which accommodates the growing need for private networks, public services and Internet access with seven international carriers – AT&T, MCI, Sprint, KDD, Verizon Hawaii and Teleglobe in Canada.

– Wireless Systems: In addition to buried cable distribution systems, PNCC also explored ways in which wireless local loop systems can enhance and expand services in Palau. In 2002, PNCC purchased FTC’s share of PNCI, which is now wholly-owned by PNCC as PNCCWireless. Recently in Dec. 2003, a GSM Digital Conversion System was implemented in main areas of Koror and Airai. By the end of 2004, PNCCWireless will go digital througout the whole Palau.

– CATV – PNCC purchased UMDA’s share in 2001 making the only Cable Television Services in Palau 100% owned by PNCC. Upon taking up ownership of the Island Cable TV, ICTV service coverage is now throughout the whole Republic.

– 3G Mobile services was recently deployed at the beginning of the year (2015). 3G coverage is concentrated in the main capital (Koror and Melkeok) and populated areas. The rest of the island is still covered by 2G.

Networking ChallengesNetworking Challenges

– Fixline• PSTN Legacy switches have reached end of life time. Unfortunately, they are failing and will

need to be replaced soon.

– Digital TV• Live streaming limitations due to satellite latency/instability.

– Mobile Services• Bandwidth limitations on main internet backhaul• NodeB deployment limitations due to distance to RNC. Ex. Rock Islands

– Internet Services• Internet Security

– DDOS (Denial of service attacks) Attacks

• Bandwidth is limited due to satellite latency/instability• Subscribers Last mile deployments is usually an issue due to distance, terrain , and other

factors.

Thank You Very Much

Palau National Communications

CorporationOne Airport Road

P.O. Box 99Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

Email: pncc@palaunet.comWebsite: www.palaunet.com