In brief: Possible rice agreement with the Philippines, and other business stories

Welcome,

A possible rice deal with the Philippines; developments in gas sales; and landowner issues. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Kumul Telikom urgently looking to build undersea cable to Sydney, says Chairman

Welcome,

Mahesh Patel, the chairman of Kumul Telikom, told the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference that the newly formed entity is urgently looking to build an undersea cable to Sydney. He said the aim is to reduce wholesale price by two-thirds

In brief: More than just a Supplementary Budget needed says UN Country Manager, and other business stories

Welcome,

Roy Trivedy says Supplementary Budget is essential but not enough, Telikom and bmobile merger approved, visas for SME workers on hold.

Kumul Telikom rolling out 4G network across Papua New Guinea, says Chairman

Welcome,

Kumul Telikom Chairman Mahesh Patel says the Papua New Guinea telco is close to rolling out its 4G services. He tells ‘Business Advantage Boardroom’, which aired on national broadcaster EMTV, that the merger of bmobile, DataCo and Telikom PNG is necessary to make the state- owned enterprise efficient and manage the technological challenges.

Merger of Telikom PNG, PNG DataCo and bmobile may lead to lower costs, say analysts

Welcome,

IT analysts and industry insiders tell Business Advantage PNG that the Papua New Guinea Government’s decision to merge bmobile and PNG DataCo under a Telikom PNG renamed Kumul Telikom is likely to increase competition and innovation. But the move will not be without challenges.

Lower prices the ‘bottom line’ with Kumul Telikom reforms, says Chairman

Welcome,

A major reform will see all Papua New Guinea’s state-owned telecommunications companies grouped under a single board for the first time. The Chairman of the new-look Kumul Telikom, Mahesh Patel, speaks exclusively to Business Advantage PNG about his board’s priorities for increased competition and ‘slashed’ internet prices.

In brief: Merger of Telikom, bmobile and DataCo under Telikom, and other business stories

Welcome,

Government plans to merge Telikom, bmobile and DataCo, Highlands Pacific Chairman says PanAust’s resignation requests amount to a takeover, and PNG LNG reports 25% increase in LNG. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Opinion: Is your business at risk from disruption?

Welcome,

Businesses often don’t realise that they are vulnerable to attacks from disruptive new players until it is too late. Andrew Wilkins considers some of the strategic issues created by creative disruption.

In brief: Finance Minister Marape says economy ‘doing well’ and other business stories

Welcome,

Finance minister Marape says PNG economy ‘doing well’, European Investment Bank invests in PNG for first time in 21 years and Memorandum of Agreements to be presented for seven copper and gold mines. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

In brief: Papua New Guinea forex pressure to ease by the end of April says BSP CEO, and other business stories

Welcome,

Ok Tedi’s cashflow plus new loan to ease foreign exchange situation, feasibility study to look at water pipeline from Highlands to Queensland, and illegal fishing in Pacific costs US$660 million a year. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.