BERGEN/NORWAY, July 25 -- Norwegian telecom supplier Nera and Fiji Telecom have signed a contract for a communications system that will provide broadband access in the rural regions of the Fiji Islands. The system is based on the DVB-RCS technology, and Nera will provide equipment -- antennas, hubs and solar-powered battery-operated terminals -- for 87 remote terminal sites. The sites are scheduled to be in operation within a year. The contract has a value of $6.55 million. The new system will provide Fijians across the 333-island South Pacific nation with access to broadband applications such as speech, e-learning and telemedicine over the Internet. While intended primarily for the Fiji market, the system can also be made accessible from areas in the vicinity of Fiji, Nera said. Nera is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nera ASA, develops fixed wireless and satellite communication equipment and systems and radio link equipment, satellite terminals and gateways for mobile and fixed satellite communications. For more information, visit: www.nera.no