Communication in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has no single national communication service covering every channel. Mobile providers, internet companies, Vanuatu Post, government agencies, regulators, radio stations and community networks each serve different needs. Everyday communication commonly uses mobile calls, SMS and internet services. In areas with weak connectivity, local radio, HF radio, door-to-door messages, flags, whistles, Shell or tam-tam signals and church, chief or community relays can carry information. Area Council Secretaries and Community Disaster Committees may help distribute warnings, but no single community method applies everywhere. Bislama is the national language. Bislama, English and French are official languages, and English and French are principal languages of education. Local languages are protected, but formal services do not support every vernacular language. Article 64 of the Constitution gives a person the right to receive administration services in an official language used for advertisements, announcements, circulars, decisions, instructions, media releases, notices, reports and warnings. The Language Services Department supports this area. A suspected breach can be raised with the Ombudsman. Telecom Vanuatu Ltd, Digicel (Vanuatu) Ltd and Wantok Network Ltd provide mobile, internet or fixed services. Other licensed internet providers include Interchange, Pacific Link, 3 Link, Aelan Internet, Kacific, Prima, Pacific Networks, Starlink and E-Space. Reported 2024 indicators showed mobile penetration of 96.13%, mobile subscriptions rising by 7% and mobile-data revenue rising by 12%; data traffic fell by 11%, partly because an earthquake temporarily disrupted services. Prices, plans and coverage depend on the provider and should be checked directly. A national coverage model confirmed 98% population coverage as at 1 January 2018, with mobile voice coverage rising from 87% to 98.8% and mobile-data coverage from 52% to 86.2%. These figures do not guarantee reception at a particular home, road or island. Valleys, foliage, buildings, device quality, distance from a tower and congestion can affect the signal. Compare the relevant provider's coverage map with local experience before relying on a connection. The transition away from 2G and 3G is governed by a Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting regulator roadmap. Providers are expected to communicate closure plans, support compatible devices and protect emergency access, but exact dates must be checked in current notices from the provider and the regulator. The Department of Climate Change and Digital Transformation, commonly abbreviated as DCDT, leads government policy for information and communication technology, digital inclusion and cyber governance. The Digital Transformation Act No. 42 of 2025 commenced on 17 December 2025. A National Digital Transformation Steering Committee supports this framework. An ICT Service Permit can carry a maximum enforcement amount of VT 20,000,000. Digital ID and a secure government cloud were still development or pilot initiatives in 2025, so they should not be treated as a universal alternative to in-person, telephone or paper communication. Vanuatu Post is the established national postal provider, with more than 60 post offices and outlets and more than 4,500 post boxes. It handles letters and parcels, registered mail, Express Mail Service (EMS), proof of delivery and selected door-to-door EMS deliveries. A correct and complete address is needed. Packets under 2 kg may measure up to 360 x 260 x 100 mm; parcels over 2 kg and up to 20 kg may have a maximum side of 1 metre. Published post-box charges include VT 3,375 for a standard box, VT 6,750 for a large box or private mail bag, VT 675 for a rural post box and VT 540 for an extra key. Home delivery costs VT 3,000, collection costs VT 3,000 and both services cost VT 5,000. Forwarding costs VT 200 per item plus standard postage. Central contact hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00. No nationwide delivery deadline has been established; rural and inter-island timing should be confirmed locally. For government communication, the responsible ministry, department or agency is usually the first contact. The Ombudsman offers a free complaint pathway for ministries, departments, agencies, public servants, leaders, provincial and municipal bodies and statutory bodies. Complaints can be submitted by form, telephone, email or in person, and anonymous complaints or investigations on the Ombudsman's own initiative are possible. The Ombudsman may mediate, issue a preliminary report or publish a report, but no general fixed resolution deadline has been evidenced. The Ombudsman can be contacted in Port Vila at +678 27200, in Santo at +678 36364 or at ombudsman@vanuatu.gov.vu. DCDT can be contacted at +678 33380, and the Language Services Department at +678 33355 or +678 22905. A telecom complaint should first go to the provider. If the provider does not resolve the matter, the Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting regulator, known as TRBR, accepts complaints through its online form or office and can involve its Consumer Officer. Telecom services are expected to be reliable, good quality and affordable, and providers should give information that is clear, concise and not misleading. TRBR can be reached at +678 27621 or +678 27440 and enquiries@trbr.vu. No fixed general complaint deadline has been identified. Digital abuse is covered by the National Harmful Digital Communication Policy 2023, the Harmful Digital Communications Act No. 14 of 2024 and the Digital Safety Authority Act No. 15 of 2024. The Commissioner accepts complaints through any suitable communication method. A complaint should identify the complainant, provide contact details, identify the specific content and explain the harm, unlawfulness or breached communication principle, including where the content can be found and whether the complainant consents to disclosure. The decision target is 21 working days. A host may need to remove or disable access as soon as practicable and, where there is no valid counter-notice, no later than 48 hours after receiving the notice. Preserve screenshots, links, dates and account details before requesting removal. Public and community services should use respectful, rights-based language and provide practical alternatives where a person cannot use the usual channel. A disability communications glossary launched by the Ministry of Justice and Community Services in 2025 provides Bislama and English terminology. The National Disability Committee, Disability Desk, Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association, Vanuatu Society for People with Disabilities and Vanuatu Skills Partnership contribute to disability-related communication and support. Vanuatu ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. Sign-language development continues with Deaf communities, including sign mapping in Torba, but no nationwide standard interpreter network, hotline or universal telecom accessibility guarantee has been evidenced. Plain language, Bislama or English where suitable, voice messages, written messages and in-person relay may therefore need to be combined. Emergency short codes are available from all networks without charge. Ambulance or hospital services use 000, 112 or 911; police use 111; fire services use 113; maritime assistance uses 114; and Pro Medical VEMSA uses 115. The National Disaster Management Office and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department distribute warnings through radio, television, SMS and the internet. Where there is no internet, radio and community relay remain practical alternatives. Keep a charged phone, available credit, a radio and spare batteries because network availability and data use were disrupted during the 2024 earthquake.