New Islandwide broadband coverage for Jamaica – There have been considerations by the government for two broadband communications projects. Minister of Science and Technology, Daryl Vaz says as an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an imminent need to make some improvements to expand the internet, especially in rural communities in the shortest time possible.
“The first, as an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an immediate need to make some improvements to expand internet access primarily in rural communities in the shortest time possible. This effort, referenced as the COVID-19 national emergency communication backbone project is being spearheaded by MSET and its agencies, in partnership with the national works agency. Its aim is to expand the government fiber optic cable coverage to provide increased internet access, through a partnership with the two (2) major telecommunication service providers as well as other private and public sector entities that own fiber optic cable”. Said Minister Daryl Vaz.
Vaz added that with respect to the private sector entities, the private partners are assisting the government by making available access to their fiber optic cables to join with the government fiber optic cables to extend the communication reach of the government to all parish capitals.
To date, this collaboration has yielded very good results with the government able to extend its fiber optic cable reach from Port Antonio to Montego Bay. Discussions are ongoing with the two major telecommunications providers to provide the remaining cable access to cover the remainder of the island.
This COVID-19 national emergency communication backbone project will also enable rural cable TV operators to access the public broadcasting corporation’s educational content for rebroadcast to their subscribers at home. This is of critical importance since many students are still at home in rural areas and have difficulty accessing educational material. Under this project, the government will work closely with large telecommunications providers to see how best they can expand their network into more underserved communities.
How this project (New Islandwide Broadband Coverage) is still currently under discussion and review and will involve collaboration with public and private stakeholders. It is anticipated that the broad-based collaboration will commence shortly. The NWA and MSET are currently participating in a number of small pilot projects that will inform the final design of a national fiber optic cable master plan.
