Company Profile

1.TSKL (Telecome Services Kiribati Limited)

TSKL is a fully owned government limited company established under the Company Act (CAP 10A) to provide telecommunications services to Republic of Kiribat. TSKL is also governed by its Articles of Association and the Telecommunications Act 2004.

2. Mission Statement and Objectives
2.1 Mission Statement

To provide easy and affordable access to a reliable telecommunication services for all I-Kiribati.

2.2 Objectives

•  Introducing modern or more effective and affordable telecommunications facilities and services into Kiribati

•  Bridging the telecommunication gap between the rural and the urban area to a common level

•  Continuing to be a progressive, profit-making organization, revenue generator and employment provider for Kiribati

•  Provide a viable and sustainable operation in delivering the services

•  Explore market penetration for telecommunications services in Kiribati

3. Nature of business, Description of Operations and Location of Activities
3.1 Nature of business

TSKL is responsible for providing telecommunication services for the Republic of Kiribati using any system for the transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images, and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wires, radio, visual, or other electro-magnetic systems.

3.2 Description of Operations

TSKL operates the following services: Voice and Data Services.

Voice Service refers to the telephone conversation between two people (or more) using Fixed Line Telephone, Mobile telephone, Public Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX or Switchboard), Cardphones, and Operator Assisted Services. Voice service remains TSKL primary revenue generator.
Data Service refers to accessing data/information over the internet and data circuits, ending images or text messages using Fax machines, Mobile Text Short Message facility and emails.

3.2.1 Fixed Line Telephone Service :

Fixed line Telephone service is provided using underground cables connected to Switching center in TSKL building and customers' premises. Given the accessibility to telephone service on South Tarawa combined with affordable local call rates there is a continued demand for this service. The telephone can either be used locally, nationally or internationally. A local call means a telephone call made between customers on South Tarawa only. A national call means the use of the telephone to outer-islands including Kiritimati. An international call is basically a telephone call made to overseas countries using the International Direct Dialing (IDD) or through the operator.

3.2.2 Mobile Service

Mobile service is also a telephone service where calls can be made locally, nationally and internationally by using wireless technology. The Mobile service is being provided through the Global System Mobile (GSM) replacing the Analogue Mobile System (AMS). The Mobile service is currently offered in Tarawa and Kiritimati Island with further work to improve the coverage. The GSM provides more value added services to customers compared to the AMS, such as short messages between mobile users, voice mail, use of various ringing tones, etc. TSKL GSM will be upgraded in 2009 in order to improve the coverage and to offer roaming and more valued added services such as internet (email) and TV.

3.2.3 Public Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) Service :

PABXs or Switchboards installed in offices also allow voice telephone, locally, nationally and internationally. It also allow customers to communicate internally using mini exchanges known as PABXs located at their own premises, without going through the main exchange at TSKL. Customers are given the option of purchasing the system or renting it from TSKL at a rate determined by the size of the system.

3.2.4 Card Phones Service

Card phone is another type of payphone where the public can use it to make local, national and international calls using a phone card purchased from TSKL or other phone cards agents. There are two types of cards in use, one that is inserted into the card phones and one that uses a pin number.

3.2.5 Operator Assisted Services - Outer-island radiotelephone and International Telephone

3.2.6 Outer Islands Automatic Telephone Systems

TSKL started to upgrade some of the outer islands telecommunication services to a modern systems in 2003. As of December 2008, 10 Islands have been upgraded either using of a digital radio telephone system called, Digital Radio Concentrator System (DRCS) or other Radio telephone systems or a Satellite system. These telephone systems were installed at the island council, other government offices, nearby schools and businesses. Cardphones were installed as well to serve the public telephone needs on these islands. From these systems, people can now make a phone call and fax direct to Tarawa , Kiritimati or any overseas destination 24 hours 7 days a week.

TSKL telephone upgrades on the outer islands will continue in this plan period when funding is available.
Refer Attachment Table 2

3.2.7 Internet Service:

Internet falls under the data service and is a modern way to find and exchange information using computers that are connected to a telephone system or through a broadband wireless system. TSKL as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is connected to a World Wide Web (www) which stores all sorts of information that can be accessed by TSKL internet customers. It also allows a very fast text communications via computers (emails) between people around the globe and a very cheap (due to its quality) voice service to any international destination using voice over internet protocol (VOIP) technology.

TSKL is also running two internet cafés (one in Bairiki and the other one at Bikenibeu) for people who do not have access to the internet at their offices or homes.

3.2.8 Data Circuits

This is a dedicated data service provided to the Bank and Travel Agents for banking data transactions/ATM and airline bookings respectively. The circuits are provided for use exclusively by these organizations.

3.2.9 Fax Service

The fax service is also another data service where a document can be sent from one fax to another fax locally, nationally and internationally. Fax Service can simply be provided over any telephone lines. It can only work if a customer uses a fax machine to call another fax machine. The numbers used are ordinary telephone numbers. Fax service began to replace telex service in the late part of 1980s until early 1990s. In the late 1990s Internet and Dedicated Circuits services were introduced and the use of fax service declined dramatically. The use of telex was completely abandoned in 1999 but fax is still commonly used in offices and other small private businesses.

TSKL also offers a fax bureau service where people who do not have a fax machine can send their fax messages to their families, friends, business partners in Tarawa , Kiritimati and international destinations.

3.2.10 Mobile Short Text Messages

As noted in the GSM, one of the value added services and falls under the data service is sending short messages between mobile users. Since it is very cheap, it is now a popular way to communicate. In 2009, mobile customers will be able to send long messages using emails.

3.3 Location of Activities

All the above operations and services are carried out from TSKL HQ in Bairiki, Tarawa and in other TSKL branches in Betio, Bikenibeu, Kiritimati lsland and also from all Island Councils.

4. Organizational Structure

TSKL is a fully owned government company under the Ministry of Communications, Transport and Tourism Development (MCTTD). The Hon Minister for MCTTD is the Shareholder's representative for the Government of Kiribati and he appointed 5 Board Directors to look after and direct the company to the desired goals. The company is managed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his five General Managers (GMs), General Manager Network Operations (GMNO), General Manager Information Technology (GMIT), General Manager Support Services (GMSS), General Manager Finance and Administration (GMFA) and General Manager Projects (GMP).