Tonga lost all access to the internet. Was it sabotage to a cable?

Tonga was plunged into a 12-day communications blackout in January. The repair ship, Reliance, eventually restored the connection. Photo / Supplied

By RNZ

The company managing Tonga's sole internet cable says the country's internet blackout was "sabotage" by a powerful but unknown actor.

Tonga's link to the outside world was cut in January, severing internet and many international phone links for 12 days.

An investigation by the state-owned Tonga Cable has found the cable was cut into four sections by an anchor dragged along the sea bed.

Tonga Cable's director Paula Piukala says satellite mapping from two companies put the Turkish-flagged Duzgit Venture at the time and place of the damage.

"It was intentional. It was clearly sabotage," Mr Piukala said. "Who has the motives? Who has the resources? Who can organise such a thing?" he asked.

"It has to be from a powerful institution, it cannot be from ordinary people and ordinary men."

While Mr Piukala said he believed a third-party was responsible for the cable cut, he declined to say who he believed could be responsible - although he said he doubted it was a state actor.

Mr Piukala said the findings had been passed on to Tongan police and Tonga Cable will also seek damages from the ship's owner.

A spokesperson for Duzgit says the company is cooperating with Tongan authorities.

- RNZ