CASE STUDY inclusion , internet connectivity is a necessity regardless of where you ’ re based .
“ Through the Ciena Digital Inclusion programme , it is a privilege to once again be working with Digicel Fiji and Southern Cross on Project Semata to address some of the gaps in rural connectivity ,” he said .
Laurie Miller , CEO , Southern Cross , said : “ We continue to believe in the critical role broadband connectivity plays in socio-economic development , in particular learning , education and communication . Southern Cross is committed to supporting this development through high-speed and accessible internet in rural areas of the Pacific and by collaborating with Ciena and Digicel Fiji we see this commitment come to fruition . Project Semata has been greatly received in improving accessibility of learning materials and empowering the education of students and teachers and Southern Cross is proud to expand this support into other schools in Fiji . In 2023 , Project Semata supported three schools in Savusavu – a town in the Fijian Province of Cakaudrove , on the south coast of Fiji ’ s northern island of Vanua Levu – providing around 2,000 teachers and students with reliable and convenient access to high-speed internet to support their learning journey .
Launched jointly by Digicel Fiji , Ciena and Southern Cross , Semata – Connect in Fijian – is an initiative to provide high-speed internet access and online learning resources . Initially , the service offered dedicated direct 10Mbps internet access to the Digicel Fiji network to all students and teachers at the Kamendra School , Savusavu Secondary School and St . Bedes Secondary School .
Only a small percentage of the students at these schools in Savusavu had access to broadband internet at home . Semata was pitched as giving students and teachers at these schools much-needed learning resources as well as the opportunity to build skills crucial to a digital economy .
Mohammed said : “ During the pandemic , Digicel pledged to keep everyone connected . We formed partnerships with the Ministry of Education to give students access to their schools ’ virtual learning sites and classes and provided subsidized data plans and zero-rated data access to essential learning sites . With Project Semata , we are keeping our pledge alive , working alongside Ciena and Southern Cross .
Project Semata will support schools in Pacific Island communities for the next two years . p
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