ACCESSING faster, reliable and cheap internet connectivity has always been a challenge for Jones Adventist College (JAC) in Dovele, North Vella, Western Province.
A nearby tower operated by Our Telekom is located in Irigilla village approximately 4km away from JAC.
Currently, the school has access to internet services through Fuzion net, which has been working well for almost four years now.
But accessing faster services remains a challenge.
Last week the school received a new set of Starlink and the school is enjoying faster internet service.
Reports reaching the Solomon Star stated, staff and students are now enjoying high-speed internet service.
The Starlink hardware was donated by a former JAC student who is based overseas.
The generous donor who don’t want to reveal his identity also met all expenses for the kit to be airfreighted and transported to the school.
According to the former student, he felt impressed to help the school and upon consultation with one of his former classmates about what to give, he decided to donate a Starlink kit.
As a former student, he had seen the struggle by many staff who have to endure long distance and cost just to access internet from the Telekom tower located at Bava island.
“These long trips are even challenging when the weather is not good.
“Thus, this is one way of giving back to the school,” the former student said.
There is a telecom coverage in the school but it is limited to daytime and on certain spots only, said Zole Paul, a staff member.
“With this latest development, it has boosted staff work and students’ learning experience.
“And at the same time introduces them (students) to the world of information technology.
“It also helps teachers in their class preparations,” Mr Paul said.
The College administration has thanked the former student for the generous gift.
“Jones Adventist College is situated on North Vella Island and like most rural centres, there is limited access to telecommunication services, therefore the school is grateful for this gift.
“We do not expect anything like this. But we are thankful to the student for recognizing the need of the school,” the school administration said.
For its part, the school has agreed to meet the Starlink’s monthly bills.
The school will organize its graduation ceremony this weekend.