American Samoa has one of the most complete and modern telecommunication systems in the pacific islands. As a member of a 102 nations International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, American Samoa is in direct 24-hour contact with 20 countries in the pacific ocean region and more than 100 nations worldwide through Samoa Technologies' Satellite Earthstation System (SamoaSAT). Rapid telex, telegraph and facsimile services are also available. Local telephone lines easily support 14.4k baud rates for personal computers, with favorable nights supporting up to 28.8k. These are being upgraded, and healthy competitive communications firms will soon be upgrading to fiber optics and the intrinsic high bandwidth capabilities. Leased lines between businesses in Pago Pago and either Hawaii or the mainland are currently available through the Directorate of Communications. The American Samoa Government Television station KVZK-TV provides educational and non-commerical NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN television Broadcast. AM and FM Radio broadcasts are provided by Samoa Technologies' KSBS-FM and Radio Samoa Ltd's WVUV-AM. On a smaller level, HF and 2-meter radio communications are used and supported by the Amateur Radio Relay League affiliate, SARA (Samoa Amateur Radio Association), who also maintains and operates 3 radio repeaters that interconnect Tutuila with the Manuas, as well as internationally with Western Samoa. American Samoa uses the area code 684 for all islands. To dial direct from the United States to American Samoa, dial 011-684-local number. |
