Norfolk Island finally embraces the cell phone

Norfolk Island, a tiny outpost in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand, has just introduced mobile phones to its population.

Five years ago the 1800 residents of the 5km x 8km island voted to keep mobile phones off Norfolk Island but it appears most people have changed their mind and allowed the mobile revolution to take over.

The island even has its own network. Norfolk Telecom manager Kim Davies comments:

We’ve been run off our feet, we’ve had 300 connections in the first two days,

Mr Davies is expecting 1000 users within the first 6 months and islanders hope that the new network will boost revenue and help the tourist industry. Some residents were worried the mobile masts would tower over the famous Norfolk pines but because the island is so small it only required 4 very small fishing rod sized masts to provide full coverage.

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