Under Section 55.4 of the Telecommunications Act, any person intending to import telecommunications equipment, including radio transmitting devices except those exempted by regulation, must obtain an import permit from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF). This requirement entails a type approval process to ensure that imported devices, such as mobile phones, comply with technical and safety standards, thereby preventing interference with networks, safeguarding public safety, and ensuring environmental compliance. Each device type is individually assessed through documentation and, where necessary, physical testing. Applicants must submit technical specifications, manufacturer authorisations, declarations and certificates of conformity with international standards, test reports from recognised laboratories (FCC, CE, Australia or ITU), and relevant type approval certifications from jurisdictions such as Australia or New Zealand. Following submission, TAF evaluates compatibility with local infrastructure and may request equipment samples before granting approval.

There is no obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in the country to deliver telecom services to end users. However, it is practised in the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.

State participation remains significant in Fiji’s domestic telecommunications market, where Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Ltd (ATH) holds a dominant position in both the fixed-line and mobile segments. As of September 2025, the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) owns 72.71% of ATH, while the Government of Fiji holds 15.25%, with the remaining 12.05% held by individual and institutional shareholders. In the fixed-line market, Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL), a wholly owned subsidiary of ATH, is the leading operator. FINTEL, also fully owned by ATH, is the main provider of international voice and data transmission services. In the mobile segment, Vodafone Fiji is jointly owned by ATH and FNPF, with a 51% and 49% shareholding, respectively. Additionally, the internet service provider Connect operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of TFL.

Fiji does not mandate functional or accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.

Fiji has not appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.

Fiji has a telecommunications authority, the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF), established under the Telecommunications Act 2008. However, it has been reported that the decision-making processes of TAF are not fully independent from government influence, raising concerns about the regulator’s institutional autonomy.

Fiji has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.

Fiji does not currently possess a comprehensive legal framework governing all aspects of personal data protection. Instead, it adopts a sector-specific regulatory approach. Various legislative instruments address issues related to electronic transactions, cybercrime, and consumer protection. Notably, the Telecommunications Promulgation 2008 sets out obligations for telecommunications service providers concerning the confidentiality of customer data and the requirement to obtain consent. In addition, the Online Safety Act 2018 seeks, among other objectives, to prevent the misuse of personal information in digital environments. Additionally, the Cybercrime Act 2021 includes provisions that criminalise, inter alia, unauthorised access to computer data.

It is reported that, despite the framework established under Fiji’s Copyright Act 1999, enforcement remains weak and constrained by limited capacity. The unauthorised uploading and downloading of Fijian musical works is reportedly widespread, and effective mechanisms to protect creators and their intellectual property are described as lacking in practice. Stakeholders further report that the Copyright Act 1999 does not incorporate provisions specifically addressing digital piracy.

Fiji has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Fiji has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Fiji lacks a comprehensive regime for the protection of trade secrets.

Fiji is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

Lack of transparency in public procurement is reportedly a persistent issue among stakeholders in Fiji. There is a perception among foreign investors that there is a lack of transparency in government procurement and approval processes.