Dhiraagu, the leading telecommunications and digital service provider in the Maldives celebrated a major milestone for achieving the expansion of its high-speed Fibre Broadband network to 75% of households across Maldives. This key milestone was marked at a special function graced by His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives.

The milestone is part of a wider program undertaken by Dhiraagu, “Digital Raajje” which seeks to leverage the latest digital communications technology towards the social and economic wellbeing of the island nation.

Dhiraagu commenced the transformation to digital when the company pioneered the digital transmission network across the country by building the country’s first fibre optic submarine cable network spanning the length of the entire nation. In 2015, Dhiraagu became the first operator to provide nationwide mobile broadband service and over the years had expanded its service with the roll-out of Fibre Broadband service across the nation. Dhiraagu also extend IPTV service to 52 islands covering 72% of the total households in Maldives.

Dhiraagu has the largest fixed broadband network in Maldives and today Dhiraagu has successfully expanded its high-speed Fibre Broadband network to 75% of Maldivian households. This important milestone was achieved following a nationwide undertaking in 2016 to enhance its fixed broadband services. 

Dhiraagu is the only service provider in the Maldives to have linked the country from North to South through a 1253km long fibre optic submarine cable network, which is the backbone of the nation’s largest 3G and 4G LTE, and fixed broadband network and has successfully provided access to high-speed broadband connectivity to 100% of the country.  The role played by Dhiraagu in the geographically dispersed nation to provide universal broadband access is unique and innovative amongst developing nations.

The Fibre Broadband expansion project is part of the initiative to provide high-speed internet throughout the Maldives, irrespective of size or location, while ensuring maximum value for customers without affecting service quality. Under the project, Dhiraagu has expanded its network from the capital city to all major population centers, connecting 58 islands with its state of the art fibre-to-the-home service.

The newly expanded broadband services would provide world-class connectivity enabling individuals, businesses, government agencies and institutions to get ahead in the digital future. Notably, this service would prove particularly useful for small and medium enterprises, such as the guesthouse sector, in utilizing digital connectivity for everything from securing markets, managing reservations to making payments online.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dhiraagu CEO & MD, Ismail Rasheed highlighted, "Digitization and transformation are at heart of this expansion. By bringing innovative solutions and technological advancements for the betterment of Maldivians, enabling socio-economic developments and keeping Maldives abreast with the rest of the world, we aspire to empower digitally inclusive communities and create the Digital Raajje that every Maldivian can enjoy"