They say the internet connects you to the rest of the world. But as gadgets improve and equipment upgraded, networks get better and you get your emails or voice messages faster and at a better quality.
At times it can make the difference between contacting the right markets at the right time and in the fastest time—an important aspect of competition.
One company that hopes to assist existing companies to connect faster is placing itself more strategically for the revolution.
From July 1, Pacific Teleports will be known as Pactel International.
CEO Andrew Taylor said, “A strong expansion in and growth of new geographical markets have led to the name change.
“This change reinforces our long-term strategy to advance our global presence whilst still maintaining a strong focus on the Pacific islands”.
 Pacific Teleports was founded in July 2003 by Andrew Taylor and Steffen Holzt.
Between them, Taylor and Holzt have over 40 years experience in the satellite and telecommunications industry.
Taylor’s career experience has seen tenure in senior commercial and engineering roles at PanAmSat, Comsyst, Optus and Telstra. Steffen embarked on his career in satellite communications with AntenneCal based in Noumea.
In 2000, he became founder and director of Pacific IP Services in New Caledonia, which in turn was merged into Pacific Teleports.
Pacific Teleports’ original objective was to provide satellite internet services to the Pacific Islands which it began via its first ever link, a 4/2Mbps trunk on the Intelsat 701 satellite.
The business grew strongly from there on with other carriers contracting to their IP services, and in June 2004, Telephony over IP (TOIP) was delivered as a service.
From the first voice interconnect, the network rapidly grew to its current membership of over 20 carrier interconnects.
In 2007, Pacific Teleports merged its operations with the New Caledonia-based Pacific IP Services founded by Holzt.
Today, Pactel International is the premier satellite internet and voice provider in the Pacific region.
It provides satellite internet trunks, VSAT solutions, TOIP services and other associated value-added products to telecommunication carriers, governments, NGOs and corporates across the Pacific region.
Pactel International continues to deliver innovative, forward thinking and flexible telecommunication solutions.
Working closely with clients and adopting a very hands-on approach during the design, implementation and delivery of all projects.
In addition, Pactel International prides itself on its ability to understand customers’ unique connectivity requirements providing bespoke solutions guaranteed to meet individual needs and budgets.
Taylor said: “What sets Pactel apart is its expertise in using satellite based technologies to provide telecommunications solutions at highly competitive rates,” he said
“By having its head office in Sydney, Australia and a regional office in Noumea, New Caledonia, Pactel International offers support to our customers in similar time zones. 
 What next?
Pactel Mobile intends to roll out its mobile system in the South Pacific.
“Our system will be a gap filler for existing carriers in the islands needing cost effective coverage in rural areas,” said Executive Director Holzt.
“Previously, the costs of mobile equipment have prevented rollout into smaller communities.
“But the Pactel Mobile system will allow islands carriers to rollout their networks into these previously untapped areas.
“Less than half of all Pacific Islanders have a phone and generally there is only one supplier for any particular fixed, mobile or Internet service. 
“Pactel will provide a system that equips existing carriers in the islands to be better prepared for the onset of competition without putting a strain on their capital expenditure budgets.
“Mobile telephony is expected to continue outpacing growth in fixed-line connections as the market moves into 2010.”