With operations across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the wider Pacific, Lightspeed Pacific is entering an exciting new chapter of growth as it continues to enable digital inclusion across the region – characterised by innovation and a deep respect for the country’s unique geography and cultural diversity. Janend Reddy, Country General Manager of Lightspeed Papua New Guinea and Group Head of Technology, delves deeper.
A NEW AGE OF CONNECTIVITY
The telecommunications (telecoms) sector in the Pacific region is currently experiencing one of the most exciting periods in its history.
“For decades, geography, isolation, and limited infrastructure shaped how we connected our islands.
“Today, with new systems and technologies in place, the region is stepping into a new era of opportunity, resilience, and digital inclusion,” opens Janend Reddy, Country General Manager for Lightspeed Papua New Guinea and Group Head of Technology for Lightspeed Pacific.
As a provider of high-speed internet services to both enterprise and residential markets across Pacific island nations, Lightspeed Pacific has witnessed significant digital evolution across the region.
Submarine fibre systems, multi-orbit satellite capacity, and smarter wireless technologies mean that local people now live within potential reach of at least one modern, high-capacity network – whether delivered through subsea fibre backbones, satellite constellations, or hybrid terrestrial systems.
“This foundation is enabling governments, communities, and businesses to think differently about what connectivity can achieve,” he adds.
One of the most significant and diverse of the Pacific’s telecoms markets is Papua New Guinea (PNG), whose size, diversity, and population distribution requires a highly adaptive and resilient connectivity model.
“This is why satellite broadband, fixed wireless, and fibre-backed solutions all play important roles in PNG’s communications landscape,” Reddy insights.
Elsewhere, Fiji is emerging as a regional digital leader with strong investment in both subsea fibre and climate-resilient communications, with the country benefitting from multiple submarine cables landing on its shores.
“This robust international connectivity is enabling new opportunities in cloud adoption, digital business growth, and government transformation,” he outlines.
Recent years have also seen significant interest in satellite services such as Starlink, which is helping to extend reliable broadband to maritime communities and outer Fijian islands.
These solutions complement the country’s terrestrial and fibre infrastructure, creating a more resilient, multi-layered national communications ecosystem.
“The Pacific is at a turning point. The combination of new fibre projects, multi-orbit satellite capacity, and resilient power systems means that – for the first time in our history – we have the tools to deliver true digital equity across our islands,” Reddy observes.
Indeed, across Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia, the Pacific is undergoing a sustained connectivity transformation driven by these growing capabilities.
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“It is an energising moment to be part of the industry because every improvement in connectivity directly strengthens communities, economies, and futures across the ocean we share.”
“The Pacific is at a turning point. The combination of new fibre projects, multi-orbit satellite capacity, and resilient power systems means that – for the first time in our history – we have the tools to deliver true digital equity across our islands”
Janend Reddy, Country General Manager, Lightspeed Papua New Guinea and Group Head of Technology, Lightspeed Pacific
SUSTAINING ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCUTRE
A regional internet, managed services, and digital infrastructure provider, Lightspeed Pacific is committed to building resilient, high-quality, and culturally grounded technology solutions for island nations in the Pacific.
“We operate with a simple philosophy: connectivity and digital capability should be accessible, reliable, and built for the realities of our islands – not adapted from somewhere else,” Reddy shares.
Lightspeed Pacific’s on-the-ground presence, with teams working directly in the environments it serves, enables the company to design, deploy, and support solutions that withstand conditions that are unique to the Pacific and require true local expertise.
Serving a broad and diverse client portfolio – including government and non-government organisations (NGOs), the agriculture, banking, energy, logistics, and mining industries, community institutions, and tourism operators – what unites Lightspeed Pacific’s customers is their need for reliability in environments where this might be difficult to achieve.
“Our clients choose us because we offer local presence, regional expertise, and world-class capability, delivered through solutions designed specifically for Pacific realities,” he posits.
The company’s core products and service offerings include enterprise internet and managed services across PNG and Fiji, high-availability enterprise connectivity, and satellite broadband solutions in partnership with leading satellite operators.
More than a dozen new and planned submarine cable systems are rewriting the digital map of the Pacific, improving redundancy, reducing latency, and enabling more affordable international bandwidth.
“The region is moving from isolated systems to interconnected digital routes that support growth, trade, and innovation,” Reddy surmises.
Lightspeed Pacific is also proud to be Fiji’s first authorised Starlink reseller, its prime distinction when bundled with enterprise-grade managed services such as critical communications capability, round-the-clock monitoring and support, and secure network integration and configuration.
In addition, Lightspeed Pacific’s ability to design and deploy solar-powered ICT systems that operate independently off grid enables it to ensure continuity for its clients in remote or disaster-prone communities, which has emerged as a priority following several high-impact cyclones in the region.
“Telecoms is increasingly being seen as essential infrastructure that must be sustained as it underpins education, health, commerce, and early warning systems,” he highlights.
The company’s platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and value-added services, network design, ICT and project management, and broadcasting services further set it apart.
STANDOUT SERVICES
Lightspeed Pacific is differentiated by its ability to combine customer care with strong technical capabilities, strategic partnerships, and deep local understanding.
“We are not a traditional telecoms company; as a trusted managed services provider, we have built our business around a simple principle – deliver what works, support it properly, and design it for the realities of the Pacific,” Reddy explains.
With customer care at the heart of everything it does, client relationships are not transactional – they are long-term partnerships grounded in trust, responsiveness, and respect, guided by a philosophy that technology only matters if it is well supported.
In PNG, for example, the company is one of the first internet service providers (ISPs) to establish a 24/7 in-country network operations centre for its customers, providing proactive monitoring, immediate technical response, and real-time network insights.
“This investment was made for one reason: our customers deserve real-time support delivered by local experts who understand local conditions. This customer-centric mindset is a core part of our identity across the region,” he specifies.
As a solutions-orientated company, Lightspeed Pacific’s strength also lies in its ability to design, deploy, and manage integrated solutions.
“We don’t focus on owning large-scale telecoms structures – we focus on making the right technology accessible, reliable, and supported,” Reddy emphasises.
With a comprehensive solutions portfolio at its disposal, what truly sets the company apart is its ability to stay with clients throughout the entire lifecycle – from design to deployment to long-term support.
Strong technology and engineering partnerships that span both regional and international markets give Lightspeed Pacific the added advantage of a local presence combined with world-class expertise, ensuring customers benefit from globally advanced services delivered with deep regional understanding.
“This allows us to provide multidisciplinary, end-to-end solutions that combine connectivity, power, infrastructure, and support under one umbrella.”
Elsewhere, a holistic, integrated approach to connectivity, power, platforms, and media – bringing together off-grid power, ICT integration, and broadcast and technical service delivery – reduces operational complexity and ensures every component works together seamlessly.
As such, Lightspeed Pacific’s differentiation is not one thing – it is the combination of customer care, technical capability, strategic partnerships, and genuine understanding of Pacific realities.
“This blend is what enables Lightspeed Pacific to deliver solutions that are reliable, resilient, and truly meaningful for the communities and businesses we serve,” Reddy prides.
STAR POWER
Being selected as Fiji’s first authorised Starlink reseller reflects the trust placed in Lightspeed Pacific as a responsible, service-driven provider with a deep understanding of the connectivity challenges faced by remote and maritime communities.
“For us, Starlink is not just a product – it is a catalyst for change. Fiji’s geography means that many villages, schools, health posts, and tourism operators sit far beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial networks.
“Starlink allows us to close that gap rapidly, reliably, and with a level of performance that was previously impossible in many of these locations,” Reddy says.
In this way, Starlink has become Lightspeed Pacific’s primary offering in Fiji, which, when paired with its managed services and enterprise-grade support, enables the company to connect, enable, and strengthen both remote communities and urban businesses.
“By combining Starlink with our existing network design, critical communications support, and 24/7 customer service, we deliver more than just equipment – we deliver a complete connectivity environment that works long-term,” he adds.
The company’s role as an authorised reseller comes with responsibilities, such as compliance with national regulations, professional installation and configuration, appropriate use of enterprise-grade networking, ensuring reliable setup for sensitive use cases, and providing monitoring and technical support.
This is especially important in Fiji, where connectivity is a lifeline for disaster preparedness, education, and economic activity.
Partnering with Starlink has also enabled Lightspeed Pacific to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, ensuring no island, community, or business is left behind, particularly when it comes to crisis readiness.
The company has therefore undertaken a meaningful initiative in collaboration with NGOs and communities to deliver disaster preparedness kits, which include satellite terminals for high-speed, low-latency connectivity, off-grid solar power units, enterprise-grade networking, and portable rapid-deployment mounts for emergency use.
“These systems ensure communities remain connected even if towers are down, roads are blocked, or the national grid is offline, enabling them to report and communicate during outages and assume an active role in their own safety and preparedness,” Reddy explains.
Beyond hardware and satellites, these kits reflect Lightspeed Pacific’s commitment to safeguarding families, protecting livelihoods, and giving vulnerable communities the tools they need to stay safe.
Working directly with village leaders and disaster management teams, the company ensures each system is installed correctly, understood and used confidently, supported with local training, and maintained by its teams.
“This people-first approach ensures the technology remains trusted, reliable, and genuinely useful,” he reflects.
PROLIFIC PARTERSHIPS
Lightspeed Pacific’s ongoing partnerships with global satellite operators such as Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) have played an important role in expanding reliable connectivity across PNG, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities.
“As a solutions-focused company, we remain technology-agnostic. We work with multiple global satellite operators and select the right orbit, platform, or technology based on the specific needs of the community, business, or sector we are serving,” Reddy tells us.
In PNG’s unique geography, satellite communications are not a back-up, but a critical part of the national connectivity ecosystem.
Whether it’s providing last-mile access to rural communities, supporting the health and education sectors, or enabling business operations in remote districts, the company’s collaboration with satellite operators gives it the reach and reliability needed to bridge the digital divide.
Geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite networks, for example, have helped it to support agricultural and rural industries through reliable, flexible connectivity, whilst small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local businesses operating outside of urban centres have benefitted from Lightspeed Pacific’s satellite-enabled connectivity, cloud access, and business-grade broadband.
Indeed, the delivery of healthcare and community services in PNG is supported by a well-connected satellite network, whilst bridging the rural connectivity gap – where fibre and fixed networks cannot reach – has never been easier.
“Satellite allows us to connect locations far beyond fibre and microwave coverage, provide community Wi-Fi access points, equip schools and learning centres in hard-to-reach areas, and connect homes and businesses after outages or emergencies. This is one of the most impactful aspects of our work – ensuring no community is excluded because of physical distance.”
Satellite is also a critical back-up for Lightspeed Pacific’s fixed wireless access (FWA) network and will enable it to strengthen network coverage and reliability using the next phase of low Earth orbit (LEO) services such as Starlink and OneWeb once it is available in PNG.
“Once approved, LEO satellite connectivity will introduce a new layer of flexibility and performance to the country’s digital landscape, accelerating both rural inclusion and nationwide digital transformation, opening the door to economic participation, education, and new opportunities for social development,” Reddy details.
The company’s partnerships with global satellite operators are part of its broader, integrated strategy to connect PNG’s rural communities, support SMEs, empower health services, and strengthen essential industries.
“Satellite communications – whether for backhaul or direct access – will continue to play a vital role in PNG’s digital future, especially as new technologies and regulatory approvals unlock even more possibilities for the country,” he surmises.
“Every island and village deserves access to opportunity – and this remains core to our mission”
Janend Reddy, Country General Manager, Lightspeed Papua New Guinea and Group Head of Technology, Lightspeed Pacific
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
For Lightspeed Pacific, community development is not an afterthought, but a core part of the company’s identity..
“As a Pacific-born organisation, we see ourselves as contributors to the socioeconomic fabric of the communities we operate in,” Reddy states.
As such, its approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is deeply human-centred, practical, and grounded in the belief that technology, skills, and opportunity must reach everyone.
Operating across nations where connectivity, access to education, gender inclusion, and climate resilience directly shape lives, CSR is far from a box to be ticked, but a commitment that influences decisions, partnerships, and workforce development.
“Our approach begins with a simple philosophy – technology should improve lives,” he expresses.
This is why the company focuses on projects that directly enhance safety, education, and community empowerment, such as increasing digital access for schools and healthcare facilities, prioritising affordability and accessibility.
It also places gender equality and inclusive employment at the heart of its workforce strategy, promoting equal hiring opportunities, female leadership pathways, respectful workplaces, and encouraging women to join STEM and ICT fields.
“Supporting gender equality in our workforce amplifies the impact of everything we do,” he underlines.
In addition, developing local talent through partnerships with higher education institutions and internship programmes helps to build the next generation of industry leaders across PNG and Fiji, driving the region forwards.
In Fiji specifically, Lightspeed Pacific has begun work on establishing Pasivika Konnect Foundation – a dedicated platform supporting education, digital literacy, and youth development and rural access programmes.
“Whilst the foundation is beginning in Fiji, it is designed to become a group-wide initiative across the Pacific, reflecting our long-term commitment to social impact,” Reddy anticipates.
Elsewhere, the company’s Lightspeed Productions media division creates high-quality awareness content in collaboration with NGOs and faith-based organisations, helping to shift social norms and spark meaningful conversations.
This includes work related to gender-based violence, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), youth empowerment, community safety, and mental health and well-being, telling these stories in a way that resonates with local audiences and helps influence positive change.
“CSR at Lightspeed Pacific is an ongoing commitment – to empower communities, build skills, uplift vulnerable groups, support education, and create long-term impact.
“We invest in people first, because the future of the Pacific depends on the strength, resilience, and opportunities available to its people.”
“Ultimately, our vision is clear – to build an organisation that delivers world-class solutions with Pacific heart, develops local talent, strengthens national resilience, empowers rural communities, and helps to shape a more inclusive digital future for our islands”
Janend Reddy, Country General Manager, Lightspeed Papua New Guinea and Group Head of Technology, Lightspeed Pacific
FUTURE FOCUS
As it enters an exciting new chapter guided by a clear vision from Founder and CEO, Richard Broadbridge, Lightspeed Pacific is building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready region where no community is left behind because of geography, inequality, or lack of opportunity.
“This vision shapes every strategic decision we make – from the technologies we adopt to the communities we support and the partnerships we cultivate,” Reddy declares.
When it comes to defining its growth and impact across PNG, Fiji, and the wider Pacific, the company’s priorities going forwards include strengthening connectivity in rural and underserved areas, adding private long-term evolution to its current hybrid stack, integrating smoothly with its existing model, and bridging the gap between high-capacity enterprise needs and field operations.
It also plans to scale satellite-powered rural access solutions, strengthen backhaul networks for its FWA deployments, expand community Wi-Fi, and support digital learning to the same end.
“Every island and village deserves access to opportunity – and this remains core to our mission,” he adds.
Lightspeed Pacific also plans to scale its PaaS model across the region and introduce LEO solutions such as Starlink, pending regulatory approval.
The company will continue to deepen its commitment to disaster preparedness and resilience as a non-negotiable with the rise of climate risks, enabling the Pacific to be better prepared, connected, and protected.
It also intends to expand its educational and workforce development initiatives alongside its solutions-orientated ecosystem through strategic partnerships.
As demand grows, Lightspeed Pacific plans to increase its presence and capabilities across additional pacific markets, supporting island nations through its PNG hub, increasing field teams, enhancing round-the-clock support, and growing its production and media services reach.
Its medium-term ambition is to be recognised as the Pacific’s most trusted solutions provider for connectivity, digital services, and media – all rooted in local expertise and relationships – and it plans to use the latter to further drive social impact awareness.
“Ultimately, our vision is clear – to build an organisation that delivers world-class solutions with Pacific heart, develops local talent, strengthens national resilience, empowers rural communities, and helps to shape a more inclusive digital future for our islands,” Reddy passionately concludes.
