Pacific Islands Telecommunication Association

Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) today announced major progress on its Mobile Network Modernization project, a nationwide upgrade that will deliver a secure, resilient 4G/5G Standalone mobile network designed to meet Palau’s connectivity needs and support its digital development.

The new network, which is currently under construction, will replace Palau’s existing mobile infrastructure and is expected to be fully operational by the end of Q1 2027. Once complete, this world-class network will provide faster speeds, lower latency, and full nationwide population coverage. The dual-core network configuration will provide the highest standard of resiliency and security for all communities, businesses, and public services throughout Palau, including its most remote Southwest Island States.

“This is not just about infrastructure – this is about connecting people,” said Simon Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of PNCC. “This project will improve access to education, healthcare, emergency services, and economic opportunity, while ensuring Palau has a modern, secure communications network that underpins essential services and supports long-term social and economic development.”

PNCC’s Mobile Network modernization takes a pragmatic approach to Open RAN principles and was procured through an innovative modular RFP process that allowed the selection of best-in-class technology partners while avoiding vendor lock-in. The approach has attracted international attention and is increasingly viewed as a practical model for how small island nations can deploy secure, world-class mobile networks in a sustainable way.

The project is supported by the President of the Republic of Palau, H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., and the Government of the Republic of Palau, reflecting a shared commitment to national resilience and digital development.

Technical assistance for the project was provided by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), through U.S. ICT firm Widelity Inc. USTDA’s support assisted PNCC in designing the procurement process and evaluating vendor proposals, helping ensure the network meets the highest standards for security, resilience, and performance.

Technology Partners

PNCC’s Mobile Network modernization project brings together best-in-class technology partners to deliver a secure, scalable, and future-ready mobile network.

Nokia: Supplying both the 4G/5G Standalone core and IMS voice core network and the nationwide radio access network, providing a resilient, carrier-grade architecture and significantly expanded coverage and capacity throughout Palau. Nokia is also providing a Cell Broadcast platform which will enable time critical public warning and emergency alerting services.

LotusFlare: Powering PNCC’s digital customer platform with LotusFlare DNO Cloud, a cloud-native, API-driven solution that enables modern digital commerce, monetization, and customer engagement, supporting faster service launches and improved customer experience.

Dell Technologies: PNCC is deploying Dell Technologies’ scalable, enterprise-grade servers and storage to support modern data center infrastructure, performance and long-term network growth.

Openmind Networks: Delivering advanced messaging infrastructure through a unified SMS platform that supports secure, reliable messaging services and cutting edge 5G messaging capabilities.

Groundhog Technologies: CovMo Geolocation – providing real-time network intelligence and analytics that enable PNCC to proactively monitor network performance, identify and pinpoint issues early, and optimise customer experience.

Giesecke+Devrient: SecurityTech company providing trusted SIM and eSIM solutions and its Entitlement Service for secure remote provisioning and service enablement – strengthening secure, reliable mobile connectivity across PNCC’s new network.

The project is funded through support from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Australian Department of Home Affairs, and is sponsored by member countries of the Quad.

Beyond Palau, the network has been designed in a multi-tenant configuration, allowing PNCC’s infrastructure to support connectivity for other Pacific Island nations in the future. This approach lowers barriers to entry by reducing upfront capital requirements and enabling faster deployment of trusted and secure mobile networks across the region.

“For Palau, this project delivers better connectivity and stronger resilience,” Fraser added. “For the Pacific, it creates a practical pathway for shared infrastructure and regional collaboration that can accelerate digital transformation across island nations.”

About PNCC

Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) is the national telecommunications provider of the Republic of Palau, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband, and international connectivity services nationwide.