People in the provincial capital of Malaita Province, Auki in Solomon Islands and
surrounding communities will now be able to hear the national service of the Solomon
Islands Broadcasting Corporation on its FM 96.3 frequency on their transistor radios,
inside their vehicles and on their mobile phones.
This follows the installation of an FM96.3 transmitter on a Solomon Telekom
transmission tower in Auki during the past several days.
At the same time, listeners in Auki and surrounding communities will also hear the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Australia service on FM 107.
“This great milestone has been achieved as SIBC celebrated its 72 nd anniversary of
broadcasting in this country early this week. Our listeners in Auki and surrounding
communities will now listen to programmes from the national service in Honiara through
livestream with much clearer digital audio,” says an excited SIBC Chief Executive
Officer, Mr Johnson Honimae.
“This is another step forward in the implementation of the Unity FM service that has
been part of the strategy of the Corporation in the past several years. This adds on to
the FM96.3 in Honiara and in Gizo in the Western Province.”
Mr Honimae adds, “SIBC would not have achieved the FM service in Auki without the
great support of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation through the supply of equipment and engineers supported by SIBC’s own engineers who set up the two FM
transmitters in the past several days.”

_{SIBC and ABC staff preparing the equipment room in Auki}
The project is a great achievement for the two public service broadcasters under a
current three-year Memorandum of Understanding. As part of the relationship SIBC and
ABC share among other things, technical expertise, including SIBC infrastructure to
enable ABC to broadcast in Solomon Islands. ABC and SIBC broadcast technicians
work closely together.
ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are delighted to be reaching new
audiences across the Malaita Province and to continue to deliver in our commitment to
expand ABC Radio Australia’s transmission footprint. We invite residents of Malaita and
surrounding communities to explore the growing offering of content and shows that are
available every day. With exciting new series Politok, Sista Sounds, Pacific Pulse and
Pacific Soul, ABC Radio Australia keeps listeners connected with the latest in news,
entertainment and music from across the region.”
Both public service broadcasters also participate in content exchanges in areas such as
news and current affairs, sport, music, lifestyle and general interest content. Staff
exchanges are also possible under the SIBC-ABC MoU.
SIBC is now in discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government for a piece of land
for the establishment of an FM studio in Auki to produce programs focused on Malaita
Province. Auki FM96.3 will currently broadcast programs from the SIBC National
Service in Honiara.
Listeners to SIBC in Malaita Province can also receive the National Service on AM
1035khz and SW 5020 khz and online,sibconline.com.sb.