President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the internet prices in the Maldives would be further reduced with the connection of a new submarine cable.
In May 2021, the government fulfilled its pledge to reduce internet prices, with an average 30 percent reduction in prices of home internet packages.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Vaavu Rakeedhoo on Monday, President Solih said he had already fulfilled his 2018 pledge of reducing internet prices and announced his intention to lower the cost of internet services further to benefit the people.
"We are not stopping our efforts here; we are determined to provide even faster and cheaper services to the people," he said.
The president said as part of these efforts, a submarine cable currently being laid from France to Singapore will be connected to the Maldives next month. This connection is expected to further reduce prices and improve internet services, he said.
The submarine cable agreement, which will connect 11 countries, including the Maldives, was signed last year. The 19,200 km submarine cable will use the world's latest undersea cable technology to transmit speeds of at least 100 Tbps.
President Solih said even if the government does not provide internet and mobile services, the new submarine cable would open up more opportunities for existing internet service providers and new companies. The submarine cable will make it easier for small islands to get services, he said.
