Vodafone Fiji denies communication lockdown

April 15, 2009 03:20:36 PM

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There is no directive to shut down communication access to and from Fiji, says local mobile network operator Vodafone Fiji Ltd.

The company’s chief executive officer Aslam Khan said in a statement today that it was “mischievous and most unethical on the part of those who are trying to exploit the current situation by spreading false rumors”.

“At no point has the interim government interfered with the working of Vodafone.,” he said.

 “We respect and fully subscribe to the internationally accepted mobile communication protocols, most fundamental being freedom of speech and complete confidentiality.”

Speculations fueled by anti-government blogs have arisen regarding a possible communication blackout via a directive to local providers by the newly appointed regime led by Fiji army boss Voreqe Bainimarama.

Claims were made that Khan advised Bainimarama to shutdown all communication access to and from Fiji. 

 “A number of blogsites currently reporting on the situation in Fiji are publishing many false statements that cannot be substantiated from any independent source. All our mobile phone and internet services continue to operate as normal,” Khan said.

International communication provider FINTEL (Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd) is expected to comment this hour.