The Attorney General and Minister for Communication Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum has told the World Telecommunication development conference that Fiji has more mobile connections than the total population.

While addressing the delegates at the conference, Sayed Khiayum highlighted that Fiji has 100 percent phone penetration however not all Fijians have access to mobile phones as some regions in Fiji do not have network coverage.

Sayed Khiayum stressed that the point of this is that while there is progress at the global level and at specific national levels, the World body must recognise that there are still challenges and there is a need to have integrity.

The Minister questioned the delegates on whether the island states have the economies of scale, are the islands an attractive proposition when there are a number of islands within each state with only a few dozen people living on them.

Sayed Khiayum stressed that the size of Fiji's population also poses issues of resourcing and due to several vulnerabilities and in the absence of capacities, countries like Fiji are prone to be exploited by unconscionable and well-resourced companies.

He said it is not an uncommon story that some companies, when providing services have taken advantage of these vulnerabilities for exclusive rights to provide services.

The Communication Minister said there are companies who at times get loan funding for projects through international agencies or other governments and charge rates which they would not dare to even propose to well resourced countries.

Sayed Khaiyum stressed to the delegates that their focus must remain on connectivity, as accessibility is empowerment.