First successful ICT event in PNG

The recent PNG Digital Economy Forum 2018 was the first significant and successful Information Communications & Technology (ICT) event ever held in PNG.

It was initiated by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and Energy Papua New Guinea; organized by the National Information & Communications Technology Authority and supported by Huawei.

In alignment with theme of APEC 2018 “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”, this event has locked its focus on discussions around “Transforming Society and the Nation through a Digital PNG”.

The aim of this event was to gather opinions from various perspectives and industries, such as government, industry and operators on how a digital PNG can be realised and what the challenges that they are currently facing through forum keynotes, panel discussions and the Expo.

This is the first of many future events that enables government and industries to collaborate, build a foundation in developing the digital economy and local ICT industry standards. It raises awareness among local citizens and boost digital literacy.

“Build it and they will come” was the consensus opinion from the recent industry panel held at the PNG 2018 Digital Economy Forum. Industry leaders from banking, education, health, transport and ICT met to discuss and debate the future take up of ICT technologies across PNG. 

While PNG faces many challenges on the road to digitization, it was generally felt that the people of PNG have the ingenuity, will and desire to go digital.

The young generation and industries are taking up the challenge and using these new technologies to connect, communicate and conduct business online. Social media in PNG is on the rise, with Facebook having over 800,000 active users all of whom access this service even though the cost of data is high.  Social media is providing a collective voice for the young and at the same time building ICT skills for the future.  

Dr Umesh Gupta, the CEO for Port Moresby General Hospital, spoke about their experience in going digital. 

“Give people tools and they will use them. In the beginning there was a reluctance but now these tools are indispensable.”

Dr Gupta cited the value that digitization has bought to patients and hospital staff. Digitization of radiology films is saving PGK1.5 million per annum, mortality rates have virtually halved from 8.2 percentage of inpatients prior to digitization in 2015 down to 3.8 percent, and patients can now be discharged much earlier with previous stays averaging 28 days versus today with an average stay of 7.2 days representing a fourfold reduction.

“That’s the wow factor out of ICT implementation,” said Dr Gupta.

Mapai Transport is also reaping the rewards with a 27 percent increase in efficiency resulting in transportation fees remaining the same. 

“Irrespective of the difficulties, Mapai Transport is today making it work,” said Kevin Christie, Group CEO. 

Mapai tracks and monitors containers and trucks through hazardous road conditions using the internet.  When the internet is down they use local servers and when it returns they go back online.

Other examples were offered, like the expansion of Bank of South Pacific branches is largely dependent of telecommunications. 

BSP has advanced into rural areas offering digital financial services to their customers and agents on the back of the mobile network.  

The Department of Higher Education has achieved efficiencies through automation and digitization of cumbersome processes and is now looking at how to incorporate ICT into the curriculum.

Deputy Secretary Steven Matainaho commented that it was critical for all Government departments to be aligned to ensure that there was a clear direction within the departments in terms of digital transformation and that clarity was communicated directly from the Government.   

Matainaho commented that there were many synergies and cost savings that effectively could be made by collaboration across all of the Government departments which would flow on to all customers they served by way of improved processes, less waiting times and significantly, improved performances for all Papua New Guineans.

Deputy Secretary Steven Matainaho was adamant that without the Government supporting a Digital Economy in Papua New Guinea, through transformation it would be very difficult to ensure the country gained the necessary traction for reform through its citizens.

“It is key that the Government take the lead in transforming PNG into a Digital Economy, as we can all see the benefits that have been achieved throughout the world in not just developing countries but also emerging countries as we saw earlier today in the presentation relating to Kenya.

“With transformation in Papua New Guinea to a digital nation we will see incredible benefits that will prosper all Papua New Guineans and ensure we make this country a true leader in digital transformation.”

PNG industries agreed they face common challenges when it comes to ICT take up; lack of reliable connectivity, high cost of internet service, and access to ICT capabilities and skills were the top issues.  However it was generally agreed that the Government is on the right track with the new fiber infrastructure programs. But it is unlikely we will see any immediate internet access price reduction in the short term.

In conjunction with the forum, PNG ICT Expo was organised concurrently with participations from Digicel PNG, Digitec PNG, Telikom PNG, bmobile-vodafone, Remington Technology, Fuji Xerox Business Centre, Data Solutions PNG, Agri-Tech Organics PNG, DALCO and DataCo. It is an introductory gala to the ICT ecosystem in PNG which gathered all partners to build a better connected PNG.

(L-R): Nirmal Singh, Group CEO, Digitec, Kevin Christie, Group CEO, Mapai Transport, Dr. Umesh Gupta, CEO, Port Moresby General Hospital, Steven Matainaho, Deputy Secretary, Department Higher Education, Nuni Kulu, Deputy General Manager Digital, BSP Bank, Barry Lerner, CIO, Huawei Southern Pacific Region

Author: 
Press release