Bluesky launches first 4G+ network in American Samoa

Bluesky launched its highly touted 4G+ network, which works alongside the 3G+ network currently in the territory, with quiet fanfare yesterday at its head end office in Iliili, during a press conference.

Bluesky's "Superior Network" Launch Event at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium today, Wednesday, March 22, 2017 introduces the service to the public.

According to the company, “the ‘Superior Network’ launch marks a very important milestone of Bluesky American Samoa's continuous commitment to provide superior services connecting the people and community of American Samoa to the world.” The event will have product demonstrations.

It is slated to begin at 9a.m., with the governor offering special remarks later in the morning.

Bluesky in a press release said its 4G+ Superior Network in American Samoa is the “fourth generation of mobile networks, which is another name give to LTE- Advanced technology.”

It allows “aggregation between multiple frequencies to improve efficiencies and provide a faster, more reliable Internet experience,” according to the media release. “Fastest available Internet speeds” on island — “of up to 100mbps” it says, compared to the only 21mpbs previously available on the mobile network.

At yesterday’s launch, Bluesky officials — the Group CEO Toleafoa Douglas Creevey, Country Manager Filifotu Vaai-Tinitali and Rep. Puleiti Li'amatua Tufele Jr., spoke of the company’s pride in their staff and product, as well as its commitment to superior service. Bluesky Customer Service/Public Relations Manager Sherry Sele was the company’s lead spokesperson during the media conference.

Vaai-Tinitali in her remarks pointed to the company’s journey — a series of milestones — introducing the first digital TV capability, roaming, cable television and an upgraded mobile experience.

Toleafoa spoke of a one and half year negotiation to deliver the new network and how the company challenged their staff to bring online the world class LTE capability. He said it was part of the company’s goal to be recognized as the communications operator throughout the Pacific and across the world.

He said they are working with the government’s communication authority, ASTCA, to extend its coverage to Manu’a, which currently is only in Ta’u, Manu’a — but they are working to extend it to Ofu and Olesega.

Noting their pride in Bluesky’s legacy “to be the technology leader in the territory,” Toleafoa said their promotions — see advertisements in Samoa News — also include a Bluesky mobile application that users can download on their phones for free, which provides an easy way for them to monitor their use, eCharge, purchase data bundle and also access to promotions.

The Group CEO also thanked Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the American Samoa Government “for their continued support of Bluesky throughout the years.”

Rep. Puleiti Li'amatua Tufele Jr., who is chair of the House Communications Committee, as well as a Bluesky official, said the company continues to show its foresight and desire to bring pathways of excellence to the island and congratulated the staff and company for a job well done.

Part of the launch activities this week also includes a Corporate Launch evening event at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium tonight, and a free concert and a laser light show that will be shown in American Samoa for the first time, at the Fagatogo Malae on Saturday, Mar. 25.

The concert will feature Spawnbreezie, a son of Samoa, and local artists. Sele said food and game booths would also be a part of the malae celebration.

It is Spawnbreezie’s first concert in American Samoa and he spoke briefly at the press conference, congratulating Bluesky for raising the bar in communications on island and in the Pacific and thanking them for the opportunities afforded to the community and the youth.

Spawnbreezie said he was particularly humbled by the experience to return to the island and see how active the youth are, and how strong family support is here. He noted the ‘positive energy’ and said he is reminded of a saying that the goal is not to live forever, but to ‘create’ something to live forever — that is one’s legacy to the youth.

In a chat with Spawnbreezie, Samoa News asked him how he sees himself spanning the age divide — he is 29 years old vs. the reporter’s 62 years — and he said that he was brought up in a musical family, with his father playing guitar in the garage, and to the tune of ‘Paper Roses’ and the Tia Ma’a, 5-Star band genre. Smiling, this reporter notes Spawnbreezie’s genre is listed as ‘reggae’ — and what better way to celebrate life in the islands than slow rocking to the breezes of the Pacific.

According to the press release, the 4G+ was launched in Samoa last week, American Samoa this week, and later this week it will be launched in the Cook Islands, “so this has been a group project and is part of our Bluesky vision to be the best company at connecting our Pacific communities, worldwide.