NBC launches digital network linking provincial stations nationwide

The National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] has taken a major leap in its digital transformation journey with the official launch of its Wide Area Network [WAN] — a system designed to connect all NBC provincial stations to its headquarters in Port Moresby.

The new digital network, termed as NBC’s “digital highway,” will enable faster communication, real-time news sharing, and more efficient file transfers between provincial offices and the national hub.

Speaking at the launch today in Port Moresby, Managing Director Kora Nou said this digital installation is a new era of connectivity and modernization for the national broadcaster.

“This achievement represents a major step forward in strengthening our internal communication, improving the speed and reliability of information sharing, and enhancing the efficiency of our daily operations,” Nou said.

He said the WAN would benefit staff in provincial stations who have long struggled with limited internet access and slow communication, allowing them to upload and transmit large files instantly to headquarters.
The managing director acknowledged the partnership with PNG DataCo, which provides the national fibre network serving as the backbone of the new system. The collaboration, he said, demonstrates how state-owned entities can work together to achieve shared national goals.

The WAN project was a key recommendation from a 2024 situational assessment of NBC, supported by the Australian Government through the ABC International Development [MDI] program.

Also present at the launch were Department of Information and Communications Technology [DICT] Acting Deputy Secretary for Digital Government Delivery, Jesse Sekere, and Datacore CEO, Paul Komboi, who both commended NBC for its vision and leadership in embracing digital transformation.

Komboi said the rollout was more than just a technical upgrade but the dawn of a new era for broadcasting in Papua New Guinea.

“It means real-time news from the islands to the highlands, richer content, and more engaging programs for our people,” he said.

The pilot phase of the WAN project has been successfully completed at NBC Central, with rollout to other provincial stations to follow.

NBC’s new network is expected to lay the foundation for live, interconnected national broadcasting, which will allow reporters, producers, and editors across the country to collaborate in real time.