National Information and Communication Technology (NICTA)

Universal Access Service launched to expand connectivity

This is a step towards the government’s efforts to expand internet access across PNG through the Department of Information and Communication Technology’s (DICT) Universal Access Policy. The establishment of the UAS Secretariat and the branch at Range View is an outcome of this policy.

Safer Internet Day set

NICTA, DICT and the Safer Internet Day Committee partnered to plan with various NGOs in the country to address these internet-related issues, encourage everyone in the country to join the movement, participate, and make the most of the internet potential to bring people together for better usage of the internet.

NICTA restrained from deactivating SIM cards

The consented orders of the National Court were issued just before lunch time today at Waigani.

Member for Madang Bryan Kramer filed an urgent application yesterday, and today sought the stay.

NICTA's lawyer was not in any position to respond to the urgent application as he was only served this morning.

Kramer filed the case on Sunday following a conversation with a pediatrician based at the Modilon General Hospital on Saturday.

NICTA CEO urges responsible ICT use

This reminder was made by NICTA CEO, Charles Punaha, when discussing the Cybercrime Code Act passed in 2016.

Punaha said there’s still a lot of improper use but the onus is on the users of the service to be responsible. 

“The ICT services are there for good use but people are abusing it. When they use it not for the intended purpose, that’s when the problem comes in,” he said.

He urged all users of the social media to be responsible and accountable for what you do

​Lack of consultation affects court cases

A legislation that was recently passed is the National Information and Communication Technology (NICTA) Act.

Committal Courts in Waigani have seen a huge increase in the number of cases brought before the courts from offences like posting offensive, insulting and defamatory remarks on Facebook to sending offensive text messages.

Some of these cases get withdrawn while others get struck out.

IXP to attract global content providers

NICTA is facilitating the process for the establishment of an IXP in PNG as a means of addressing the issue of high retail internet costs and the quality of service in the country.

The IXP is a physical location where internet service providers (ISPs) connect to exchange local traffic with each other via a network switch.

The primary function of an IXP is to keep local internet traffic within local infrastructure so as to reduce the costs associated with traffic exchange between ISPs.