Bluesky Cook Islands antennas. Photo: Bluesky.

Bluesky Cook Islands, the sole provider of fixed phone, mobile and broadband services to the Cook Islands, has increased the amount of satellite capacity it is using from SES Networks in order to launch 4G+ service to Rarotonga and Aitutaki, the two key cities of the island nation. According to SES, the increased capacity delivered on the low latency, high throughput O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) fleet will also allow the extension of 4G/LTE mobile backhaul service to the country’s outer islands, and faster and dedicated broadband service for the Cook Islands Ministry of Education.

The new agreement signed with SES is part of Bluesky Cook Islands’ substantial network upgrade. The Cook Islands Ministry of Education will use the increased and faster connectivity from Bluesky to enhance educational programs that will directly benefit the learning experience for students of all ages across the country. Bluesky and the Ministry are jointly developing a virtual education network portal, enabling students, teachers and institutions to exchange educational and teacher training material, develop additional curricular content material and promote a new culture of information and communication.

“By bringing 4G+ technology to Rarotonga and Aitutaki, we are offering our local consumers and business customers a better mobile data experience which will translate into productivity improvements, expanded business opportunities, and exciting new entertainment options,” said Bluesky Country Manager Phillip Henderson.