The Office of Post and Telecommunications French Polynesia, or “OPT,” a telecommunications provider in the Pacific Islands, has launched a new high-speed satellite broadband network based on iDirect’s (News - Alert) Evolution platform.

Officials with iDirect said that the network will introduce expanded voice, GSM and Internet coverage to remote areas of French Polynesia, serving residential, enterprise, government and maritime customers.

iDirect is a major player in satellite-based IP communications technology.

Company officials said that OPT’s satellite network will integrate seamlessly with French Polynesia’s terrestrial communications infrastructure to extend broadband connectivity to outlying villages.

With the region’s population scattered across approximately 118 islands, the network will provide a vital communications bridge between the outermost rural islands and the rest of the island chain.

Thanks to the recent activation of a submarine fiber optic cable linking French Polynesia with Hawaii, the satellite network can be used to extend global communications to the entire island chain, enabling advances in distance learning, telemedicine and commerce throughout the region.

"We chose iDirect because it provides the most efficient solution for allocating bandwidth across remote locations, economically serving sites with a dynamic range of network traffic”, said Manfred Chave, general manager, OPT, in a statement.

“In addition, our investment in iDirect gives us the ability to serve a variety of vertical markets, including the maritime sector”, said Chave.

He said that OPT is excited to expand broadband coverage to all of French Polynesia at a time when advances in telecommunications are enabling new opportunities for society, business and government.

"OPT’s new service demonstrates the power and reach of high-speed satellite connectivity in demanding geographies such as the Pacific Islands”, said John Arnold

director of sales, Asia Pacific, iDirect.

Arnold said that with the iDirect platform, OPT gains the efficiency to stretch bandwidth capacity further and extend much-needed voice and data connectivity to a rapidly developing region.