Noro: A Key Link in the Solomon Islands' Connectivity
Noro, a small town in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, plays a significant role in the country's digital connectivity despite hosting only one submarine cable. This landing point is part of the
Coral Sea Cable System (CS²), a 4700 km international cable that connects the Solomon Islands to Papua New Guinea and Australia. Operational since 2020, the CS² is one of three submarine cables serving the Solomon Islands, and Noro is one of four landing points in the country.
The Coral Sea Cable System in Noro
The Coral Sea Cable System is a transformative infrastructure for the Solomon Islands, enabling faster and more reliable internet access across the region. Noro's connection to this cable links the town to a broader network that includes other landing points in the Solomon Islands-Auki, Honiara, and Taro-as well as international hubs in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and Sydney, Australia. While Honiara, the capital, hosts three cables and serves as the country's primary connectivity hub, Noro's single cable ensures that even smaller towns like this one remain part of the global digital landscape.
GeoCables' latency measurements reveal an average round-trip latency of 202 ms from Noro to 11 source cities worldwide, with the best observed latency at an impressive 1 ms. These figures highlight the efficiency of the Coral Sea Cable System in facilitating communication and data exchange between Noro and the rest of the world.
Noro's Local Economy and Connectivity
Noro is home to approximately 5000 residents and is known for its cannery, operated by SolTuna. This facility processes tuna for export and domestic consumption, contributing significantly to the local economy. Reliable internet connectivity provided by the Coral Sea Cable System supports the cannery's operations, enabling efficient communication with suppliers, customers, and logistics partners. The cable also benefits residents by improving access to online services, education, and healthcare.
A Small Town with Global Reach
Although Noro is smaller and less connected than Honiara, its inclusion in the Coral Sea Cable System ensures that the town remains linked to the global digital network. With just one cable landing here, Noro exemplifies how strategic infrastructure can integrate remote communities into broader economic and technological systems. The cable's presence reinforces the Solomon Islands' commitment to expanding connectivity across its diverse and dispersed geography, ensuring that even towns like Noro can participate in the digital age.