The fiber optic roll-out, which started in 2015, is a major and structural challenge for New Caledonia. The objective remains the same: to have the OPT-NC’s 80 000 customers connected to the fiber optic network by 2025.
High-speed wired internet aims to provide everyone with the same level of service (performance, availability, and price), by replacing ADSL technology (copper fiber-based whose performance is limited) with fiber optic to facilitate the emergence of new services associated with the digital economy.
Fiber Optic Accessible to All in 2025
The FTTH (Fiber to the Home) Program is a major project which consists in shifting customers from the copper wired network to the fiber optic wired network according to a ten year calendar.
This technical solution enables the offering of high-speed services for all New Caledonians, without geographical discrimination.
Fiber Optic technology guarantees digital equality for all with fiber optic reference speeds currently ranging from30 Mb/s and 100 MB/s.
A real challenge
Providing fiber optic to every user is a formidable challenge to make the country more attractive and provide New Caledonian companies and therefore the economy in general, with the indispensable tools for their development and competitiveness.
Fiber Optic Network Roll Out Map
Objectives of the High-Speed Wired Internet Roll-Out
- Providing the same service to all ; performance, availability, price,
- Supporting services associated with the digital economy,
- Contributing to the rebalancing between the provinces ( Southern, Northern and Loyalty Islands) in terms of planning and development,
- Adapting offers made to ISP(Internet Service Providers) and content actors.
Last Completed Projects : Fiber Optic Expands
Teams from the OPT‑NC are working in 6 municipalities to roll-out optic: Nouméa, Mont-Dore, Dumbéa, Païta, Bourail et Koné. By late 2018, 20 000 households and companies will be connectable to the fiber optic network and 11 000 individuals or companies, that is to say 1 household or company for every 6 will be connected. The migration rate is 350 to 400 customers a month.
But the connexon rate is not progressing as fast as expected. Despite all the efforts undertaken to contact subscribers by all available means (phone, letters, e-mails SMS), it is not always easy to get in touch with every connectable user and convince them to switch from copper to optic fiber since the migration necessitates a 90-120 minute intervention of a team, either from the OPT or a subcontractor as well as access inside people’s homes. The success rate is between 70 and 80 % when you factor availability, the occasional cost associated with changing the modem, the ISP, but also internet use and the need to access high speed internet. For the moment, the procedure still rests on the customer’s wishes.