Elon Musk's Starlink May Be The Better Option for Internet in the Pacific Islands

I hope this will be my final piece on Tonga's connectivity saga.

In the wake of my previous analysis critiquing Tonga's submarine cable infrastructure, I present a tangible, forward thinking solution that challenges the status quo of our national connectivity strategy.

The Game Changing Alternative: Starlink Community Gateway

While governments debate infrastructure and contractors count their potential profits, a revolutionary approach stands ready to transform Tonga's internet landscape. The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative, it's a comprehensive solution that addresses our connectivity challenges head-on.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Let's break down the stark financial reality:

• Current proposed cable project: 80 million pa'anga
• Starlink Community Gateway solution: Approximately 32.1 million pa'anga
• Savings: Nearly 60% of the proposed budget
• Coverage: All major island groups (Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u)

Technical Superiority

The Starlink solution offers capabilities that make our current cable infrastructure look antiquated:

• Fiber-like speeds up to 10 Gbps (symmetric upload/download)
• Over 99% uptime reliability
• Flexible distribution technologies including:
• Last-mile fiber
• Fixed wireless
• Mobile wireless connectivity

The Geopolitical Elephant in the Room

We're acutely aware that New Zealand and Australia will be reluctant to fund this proposed solution, and it isn't purely technical. It could fundamentally be about sovereignty and geopolitical influence. Their preferred cable infrastructure represents more than just connectivity, it sure looks like a strategic justification for a submarine cable investment that has gone redundant because no one else in the Pacific has been utilizing the Hawaiki cable other than American Samoa.

Breaking Down the Investment

The Starlink Community Gateway requires:

• Initial Setup: USD$1.25 million per gateway

• Monthly Service: USD$75,000 per Gbps

• Total 15-Year Investment: USD$13,500,000 = 32.1 million pa'anga

  
  

Compared to the 80-million pa'anga cable project, this solution:

• Costs significantly less
• Provides more reliable connectivity
• Offers greater technological flexibility
• Reduces dependency on vulnerable submarine infrastructure

Detailed Cost Analysis

For a 1 Gbps scenario:

• Initial setup cost: USD $1,250,000.00
• Monthly cost at Year 1: USD$900,000
• Monthly cost at Year 15: USD$116,560.09
• Total cost after 15 years: USD $13,500,000
• Total cost for redundancy across all islands in Tongan Pa'anga (15 years): TOP $32,104,620

This is still way cheaper than the $80 million submarine cable option and solves all our connectivity issues.

Resilience in the Face of Environmental Challenges

Tonga's geographical reality i.e. a seismically active maritime environment that demands a resilient solution. Satellite technology eliminates the risks associated with submarine cables:

• No physical infrastructure vulnerable to earthquakes and ships dragging their anchors
• Instant rerouting capabilities
• Rapid deployment and maintenance

A Message to Decision Makers

To our ministers and policy makers: This isn't just about technology. It's about investing in our people's future. A 60% more affordable, technologically superior solution exists. The question is whether we have the courage to embrace it, but unfortunately we do not having the funding to pursue it and our development partners do not see any return on it for their investment.

The People's Technology

Starlink represents more than an internet solution, it's a lifeline for our communities. It symbolizes our ability to leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations and position ourselves at the forefront of technological innovation.

The Innovation Dividend: Flexibility vs. Lock-In

The most profound advantage of the Starlink Community Gateway is its inherent flexibility, a stark contrast to the rigid, 15-year lock-in of the proposed submarine cable project. This isn't just about technology, it's about future proofing our national connectivity strategy.

The Exponential Innovation Curve

With the submarine cable project, Tonga is committing to a static technological solution that will become obsolete before the contract expires. In contrast, the Starlink approach offers:

Pay-as-You-Go Model: Unlike the fixed infrastructure investment, Starlink allows for:

• Incremental upgrades

• Flexible scaling

• Immediate adaptation to technological advances

  
  

Cost Trajectory: The economics of satellite technology follow a dramatically different path:

• Initial investment remains stable
• Technology costs decrease logarithmically
• Performance continues to improve exponentially

A Glimpse into the Future

Consider the technological landscape over 15 years:

• 2025: Current Starlink technology at $75,000 per Gbps
• 2030: Anticipated 40-50% reduction in per Gbps costs
• 2035: Potential for 70-80% cost decrease with emerging technologies
• 2040: Unimaginable improvements in satellite connectivity

The submarine cable represents a snapshot in time i.e. frozen for 15 years. The Starlink Community Gateway is a living, breathing solution that evolves with technological innovation.

Conclusion: A Bold Path Forward

Tonga stands at a critical junction. We can continue down the path of expensive, vulnerable infrastructure, or we can choose a bold, innovative approach that truly serves our people.

The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative. It's our gateway to a more connected, resilient future.

Having said all of that, there is one profound truth when it comes to telecommunications: Nothing comes free in this world, there will always be costs associated with it.