PNG DataCo Limited, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Paul Komboi, on 28 May has signed a series of strategic agreements with the Morobe Provincial Government (MPG), marking a major milestone in the province’s journey toward becoming Papua New Guinea’s leading digitally enabled sub-national government.
The agreements, signed at Parliament House as part of a broader multi-agency programme, include:
• A Neutral Host Towers Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to expand telecommunications access across Morobe Province; and
• A Morobe Digital Government Services Platform agreement, including the rollout of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to modernise government operations.
Together, these initiatives form the backbone of the Morobe Digital Government Project, a transformative programme designed to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery for citizens.
“Today’s signing represents a significant step forward in our shared vision with the Morobe Provincial Government to deliver inclusive, modern and transparent public services. Through these agreements, DataCo will provide the digital infrastructure and platforms required to support Morobe’s transformation into a leading digital province in Papua New Guinea," Komboi said during the signing of the agreements.
The Digital Government Platform will integrate key government functions — including financial management, procurement, human resource systems and citizen services — into a unified, cloud-enabled ecosystem.
In parallel, the Neutral Host Towers initiative will support the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure into underserved and remote areas. By enabling shared access to towers, the model aims to lower infrastructure costs and accelerate network expansion into regions traditionally considered uneconomic to serve.
Komboi further emphasised the importance of connectivity in enabling digital transformation across the province, saying that "connectivity is the foundation of digital government."
"Through our Neutral Host Tower model, combined with innovative satellite solutions such as Starlink, we will extend reliable internet connectivity to remote districts, schools, health facilities and government offices — ensuring that no community in Morobe is left behind," he said.
The inclusion of low Earth orbit satellite connectivity solutions, such as Starlink, will complement terrestrial networks and provide immediate coverage for remote communities outside the DataCo National Transmission Network fibre grid, supporting the full rollout of the Digital Government Platform across the province.
DataCo has been working closely with MPG leadership and technology partners to validate the project scope, initiate ICT discovery and align implementation planning, with strong support expressed by provincial leadership for the initiative.
“We commend the Morobe Provincial Government and the Governor for their bold leadership and commitment to digital transformation. DataCo is proud to partner in delivering a future-ready platform that will empower communities, strengthen governance and drive sustainable economic development across Morobe Province," Komboi said.
The signing forms part of a broader collaboration between MPG and key national institutions, reinforcing a whole-of-government approach to development and innovation.
PNG DataCo Limited is Papua New Guinea’s wholesale telecommunications and digital infrastructure provider, responsible for delivering high-capacity connectivity, data centre services and digital platforms to support the country’s economic and digital transformation.
