The cost of optical fiber cables in Tonga varies widely, from project-level investments of tens of millions of dollars for submarine and domestic extensions to import values of around $121,550 for smaller cable shipments.

Submarine Cable Costs

The Tonga-Fiji Submarine Cable System, commissioned in 2013, cost approximately $32.8 million USD, financed by the Asian Development Bank ($9.7 million), the World Bank ($16.5 million), and the Tongan government ($6.6 million) for the 827 km international link . Installation was completed under a turnkey contract initially valued at $18.8 million, which later increased to $21.4 million to cover additional equipment . This cable significantly improved internet capacity, reduced latency, and lowered wholesale prices per megabit .

Domestic Cable Extensions

Following the international link, Tonga extended the cable domestically to Vava'u (348 km) and Ha'apai (58 km) at a total cost of about $11 million USD. Funding included government contributions and a partial sale of Tonga Cable Limited shares to Digicel Tonga for $4.2 million . These extensions were supplied by ASN and became operational in 2018.

Import Values

For smaller-scale imports, Tonga imported optical fiber cables valued at $121,550 USD in 2023, sourced mainly from Australia ($69,980), New Zealand ($48,460), and minor amounts from China, Hong Kong, and Fiji . This reflects the cost of commercially available fiber optic cables for local projects or replacements.

Summary

• International submarine cable (827 km): ~$32.8 million USD
• Domestic extensions (406 km): ~$11 million USD
• Small-scale imports (2023): ~$121,550 USD The price of optical fiber cables in Tonga depends heavily on the scale of the project, whether it is a large submarine system, domestic extension, or smaller commercial imports. For precise procurement or retail pricing, contacting Tonga Cable Limited or local suppliers is recommended .