Thursday, April 04, 2013

Update on the future of Radio Fly





Papua New Guinea 
3915, Radio Fly, Kiunga, 1200-1400 UTC, Mar 26. For about three days now have not heard any open carrier during my usual checking. Finally off the air now, after seemingly running on very low power for a long time?

http://www.oktedi.com/operations/mine-closure-planning  discloses that Ok Tedi Mining Ltd. (OTML) (owner and operator of Radio Fly) plans on closing down their mining operation “around mid- to late-2013”. Here is another interesting response received from OTML regarding my query sent to Nigel Parker about the current status of R Fly:

"Dear Ron, good to hear from you again and to know that you remain a faithful Radio Fly devotee.
Contrary to what you may have heard there is a bright future for OTML with the mine to continue well into the late 2020's. You would also be pleased to know that OTML is actively engaged in extending the coverage of Radio Fly from our current limited geographical footprint to a comprehensive Western Province footprint by utilising mobile phone towers to add repeaters. 

The primary purpose is to enable the broadcast of "School of the Air" programs as a way to bring education to the remote communities of the Western Province. To get this going we are now sourcing the funding for this extension. I would also like to point you to the Ok Tedi Development Foundation website - www.otdf.com.pg  which will provide some insight to our part of the world for you.
Nigel Parker, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ok Tedi Mining Limited". (Howard, Mar 27)
(DSWCI/DX Window 476)