Charles Punaha

“When people are given the choice, they select which one they want to go based on quality of service and hopefully, the prices will all come down, which is ultimately what the consumers of this country need.”

This was said by National Information & Communications Technology Authority CEO, Charles Punaha, during the Papua New Guinea broadcaster, Click Pacific’s, launch of their new satellite hub in Rainbow, Port Moresby, with both O3b data and C-band Television up-linking technology.

Digicel chief executive officer Brett Goschen said the new system that will be used will be user friendly.

“Yes, we are currently undertaking User Acceptance Tests (UAT) for a new system that will automate a number of the processes around SIM registration ensuring a secure, simpler and more pleasant experience for our subscribers.

“We will commence the phased rollout of subscriber registration points, country wide, commencing in the second week of January,” Goschen said.

National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) CEO, Charles Punaha, said the compulsory registration will end at the end of this year.   

“The countdown is running, we have 12 months left, (and) we are in constant dialogue with service providers to update us on the number of people that they have registered,” he said.

“We remind subscribers that the number of days has been reduced, and we have 12 months left and they must register now.

“We are happy with the process and will complete it in the remaining 12 months.”  

NICTA CEO, Charles Punaha, said: “The issue we have is some of these social media website are hosted locally and overseas.

“Those that are hosted locally are much easy to manage, like in the case of PNG Loop, from responses that we have from them, they have their own internal code of ethics for reporters when reporting on certain issues. 

“Some of the blogs that are hosted overseas are a challenge for us,” said Punaha.

They can only identify them once the cybercrime legislation is certified.

National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) CEO, Charles Punaha, told a media conference today in Port Moresby that they are already in talks with Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

He said an ‘Industry Code of Practice’ will help to eliminate and prosecute people using Facebook and other social media to defame other persons.    

National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) CEO, Charles Punaha, made this clarification in a media conference today in Port Moresby.

His comments followed complains from elected leaders, senior public servants, prominent and ordinary citizens on the improper use of ICT services relating to the allegations of abuse, misuse and posting of highly defamatory, malicious, slanderous, and general misinformation through social media and online discussion forums and blogs.