ICT Micronesia

The Impact of COVID-19 on Micronesia’s ICT Laws

Introduction
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, consisting of thousands of small islands in the
western Pacific Ocean. It has a close shared cultural history with three other island regions:
the Philippines to the west, Polynesia to the east, and Melanesia to the south—as well as with
the wider community of Austronesian peoples.
The region has a tropical marine climate and is part of the Oceanian realm. It includes four
main archipelagos—the Caroline Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Mariana Islands, and
the Marshall Islands—as well as numerous islands that are not part of any archipelago.i

Development of telephone and internet connections

With an average download speed of 12.59 Mbit/second for fixed-network broadband internet,
Federated States of Micronesia ranked 160th in an international comparison. The upload rate
was only 7.3 Mbit/second (165th place). The quality of the Internet, consisting of signal
fluctuations (jitter) and latency, is very far ahead at 20th place.
In mobile internet, i.e. on tablets and smartphones, Federated States of Micronesia comes with
a download speed of 0 Mbit/second. The upload speed of around 0 Mbit was enough for place.

The "Speedtest Global Index" published regularly by Ookla is based on several million individual
measurements in Mai 2021 from 180 countries.

The following diagrams show the development of the various telephone and Internet
connections as a percentage of the country's population. Values above 100% mean that, on
average, every inhabitant has more than one connection.ii

Access to the Internet in Federated States of Micronesia from 1990 - 2019

Broadband internet in Federated States of Micronesia 2003 - 2019

The Federated States of Micronesia National ICT and Telecommunications Policy

Brief chronology of the major ICT policy, telecommunications, and ICT developments:
2003 The FSM Strategic Development Plan is initiated and recognizes the importance of
broadband submarine fiber optics connectivity for all of FSM.
2004 The Amended Compact of Free Association between the United States and the
Federated States of Micronesia provides for subsidiary agreements in the area of
telecommunications. 2005 The U.S. Space Missile Defense Command (SMDC) initiates
discussions with the FSM Government regarding a Submarine Fiber Optics Cable
(SFOC) connection to Kwajalein.
2005 The Department of Transportation Communication and Infrastructure, the Sasakawa
Peace Foundation, and the University of Hawaii conduct a workshop for policymakers
on telecommunications.
2007 President Mori issues a Directive calling for the SFOC connections for all states and
establishes an SFOC Task Force which is transformed into the Telecommunications and
SFOC Task Force. 2007 The Asian Development Bank study calls for liberalization of
telecommunications.
2008 The FSM Congress passes resolution supporting SFOC connectivity for all states and
“urges the President to direct the appropriate authority at the National Government to
develop, study, plan, and come up with recommendations to transform
telecommunications and ICT to be vibrant infrastructure for the economic and social
development of the FSM.”
2009 The Chief Executives Council which includes the President and four state Governors
adopt a resolution calling for SFOC connections for all states.
2010 The Submarine Fiber Optics cable system, HANTRU1, becomes operational and
connects Pohnpei directly to Guam.
2010 The World Banks and FSM Government discuss the need to open competition and to
examine ways to ensure that the investment in the submarine fiber optics cable is
optimized.
2011 A team from the International Telecommunications Union visits all FSM States to meet
with stakeholders on the National ICT Plan.
2011 The State National Leadership Council supports the policy directions of President Mori
which calls for liberalization, an independent regulatory body, restructuring of FSMTC,
and broadband telecommunications for all states.iii

Establishes an overarching framework to harmonize national priorities, with five goals:

1. Achieve accessible and affordable communications for all;

2. Strengthen ICT human resources and increase human resource development opportunities
through ICT;
3. Improve economic growth and sustainable development through ICT;
4. Utilize ICT for good governance; and
5. Create an enabling ICT environment through policy reform and improvements in legal
frameworks.iv

Cyber Security
 Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) - Micronesia does not have an officially
recognized National CIRT.

 STANDARDS - Micronesia does not have officially recognized national (and sector
specific) cybersecurity frameworks for implementing internationally recognized
cybersecurity standards.

 CERTIFICATION - Micronesia does not have any officially approved national (and sector
specific) cybersecurity frameworks for the certification and accreditation of national
agencies and public sector professionalsv

Telecommunications Law
1. Federated States of Micronesia Radio Communication Act of 1991 –

The purpose of this act is to regulate the communication by radio so as to make

available, so far as possible, to the people of the Federated States of Micronesia such
communication services required for the purpose of conducting personal business,
promoting safety of life and property, providing public service, and allowing for the
efficient and economic use of the radio frequency spectrum.

(1) The regulations shall apply to:

(a) Foreign and interstate radio communications;
(b) Radio communications which interfere with, or have the capacity to interfere with, foreign
and interstate radio communications; and
(c) Radio communications relating to National defense and public safety.

(2) Radio communications subject to regulation shall include, but not be limited to, the
following uses and services:
(a) Public safety and government uses;
(b) Maritime, land, and aeronautical mobile radio services;
(c) Fixed radio services;
(d) Amateur services;
(e) Citizens radio;
(f) Broadcast radio services;
(g) Other uses or services which the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the
purposes of this chapter
Initial Economic Impact of COVID-19 Reported for Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) – While the FSM does not enjoy the same level of
visitor arrivals as Palau, the majority of the COVID-19 impact will also be felt in the private
sector, namely in the transportation and tourism sectors. The hotel and restaurant industries are
projected to fall by 46 percent in fiscal year 2020 and then an additional 75 percent in fiscal year
2021, reflecting the absence of tourists and minimal interstate visitors. Similarly, the
transportation sector, which includes shipping, port services, aviation, and airport ground
handling, is projected to decline by 27 percent in fiscal year 2020 and an additional 14 percent
in fiscal year 2021. Notably, the total projected loss to the FSM economy will be the most severe
decline in the FSM economy since the start of the amended Compact period in 2004. Ultimately,
the FSM is expected to experience a 6.9 percent decline in GDP and a loss of 1,841 jobs,
reflecting an 11 percent reduction of employment levels in the FSM compared to fiscal year
2019.

Optimistically, given the FSM’s strong fiscal position at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the application of targeted internal and external assistance, including Federal assistance, to
bolster health sector investments, improve resiliency in the health system, provide budgetary
resources to offset revenue losses during the pandemic, and to provide direct support to
affected individuals and businesses, will be sufficient to offset much of the projected threat to
the FSM economy and to its fiscal position going forward.vi

Pandemic Related Laws

Decree Setting the National Standards on Social Distancing Measures during the COVID-19
Pandemic National Public Health Emergency

a nationwide social distancing guideline was developed and incorporated in this decree for
immediate implementation.

Measures Mandating Social Distancing for the Federated States of Micronesia:

1. As a general principle, non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as Social Distancing

Measures, shall be based upon risk assessment and capacity assessment. Decisions
regarding placing, lifting and reintroduction of these measures will be based upon the
risk and capacity assessments.

2. Social Distancing is an essential step in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Social

Distancing is reducing the physical interaction between people, and it lowers the
chances of spreading illness between people.

3. Every person is strongly encouraged to practice Social Distancing at all times in public,
by maintaining a space of at least 6 feet between persons. It is especially important to
observe Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic in order to protect vulnerable
 populations, including in particular, older adults and people who have serious underlying
medical conditions

4. Individual FSM States may require stricter social distancing guidelines and procedures.
Such guidelines shall be respected within the State. Until completely prohibited pursuant
to paragraph 7 of this Decree, gatherings, such as marriages, funerals and other
inherent cultural practices, may be permitted under State regulation and advisories.

5. Virtual and distanced meetings are encouraged. Employees with underlying

medical conditions and/or 60 years old and older-—or individuals with children under 5
years old—are encouraged to work from home.

6. Until a lockdown is enforced under paragraph 7(h), State authorities will continue to
provide guidance and regulation with respect to essential services, including the burial of
human remains within the State jurisdiction. Schedules and plans shall be coordinated
and consulted with national emergency task force for enforcement and safety reasons to
ensure safety of family and attendees by minimizing the risks of exposure and
transmission of any disease or illness. The National Law Enforcement and Police
authorities shall monitor the enforcement of state regulation, and provide immediate
assistance to regain control should the state regulation fail.vii

ICT French Polynesia

Introduction
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country. It comprises
118 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometers
(1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. The total land area of French Polynesia is 4,167 square
kilometers (1,609 sq. mi).
French Polynesia is divided into five groups of islands:

1. the Society Islands archipelago, comprising the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands;

2. the Tuamotu Archipelago;
3. the Gambier Islands;
4. the Marquesas Islands; and
5. the Austral Islands.
Among its 118 islands and atolls, 67 are inhabited. Tahiti, which is in the Society Islands group,
is the most populous island, being home to nearly 69% of the population of French Polynesia as
of 2017. Papeete, located on Tahiti, is the capital of French Polynesia. Although not an integral
part of its territory, Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007.viii

2) start with profile on internet. Examples - internet penetration, speed, features, characteristics
3) Description and summary of major ICT laws
4) Description and summay of all ICT laws in Covid period
5) Crimes in Covid period in general
6) Cybercrimes in Covid period
i
Kirch, Patrick Vinton (2001). On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European
Contact. University of California Press.
ii
https://www.worlddata.info/oceania/micronesia/telecommunication.php#:~:text=With%20an%20average%20download
%20speed,160th%20in%20an%20international%20comparison.
iii
https://tci.gov.fm/documents/communications/policy/ict-policy2012.pdf
iv
https://unidir.org/
v
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Cybersecurity/Documents/Country_Profiles/Micronesia.pdf
vi
https://www.doi.gov/oia/press/initial-economic-impact-covid-19-reported-micronesia-marshall-islands-and-palau
vii
https://www.fsmgov.org/fsmun/pubheal22.pdf

viii
 "Les statuts de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et de la Polynésie". Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2015.