New research by BBC Media Action shows that Fiji has one of the highest internet access rates in the Pacific, with more than nine in ten respondents reporting they have internet access, predominantly at home.
The report, released last week, found that 91 percent of people have access to a smartphone, with mobile internet remaining the primary gateway to online platforms.
“Smartphones are often shared within households,” the report noted, adding that younger users commonly rely on devices owned by parents or guardians.
However, despite widespread access, the study highlights significant digital inequality, particularly for older Fijians and those with lower education or income levels.
“Gaps in smartphone and internet access are more likely to impact people over 45, those with no income, and communities in the Northern and Eastern divisions,” the findings stated.
While most Fijians enjoy strong network reception — with 81 percent reporting at least three bars of coverage at home — the report says connectivity remains inconsistent in remote regions.
“Geographic challenges of remote islands and mountainous terrain contribute to slower speeds and patchy mobile coverage,” the research said.
According to the findings, 17 percent of respondents experience less than three bars of coverage in their homes, with many citing unstable connections and the high cost of mobile data as major barriers to internet use.
With access now widespread, daily use has become a norm across the country.
The study shows that 68 percent of Fijians go online every day, with usage strongest among those aged 18 to 44, urban residents, people in the Central Division, and individuals with higher education or income.
Social media remains a key driver of connectivity, with 68 percent of respondents visiting platforms daily.
The research also reveals that 66 percent of Fijians use their smartphones for at least an hour a day, while more than a third spend over three hours online. Around 34 percent of respondents spend more than FJ$30 per month on mobile use.
