Advertorial | Flow connects over 150 communities to fibre network

Since the beginning of 2020, leading communications and entertainment provider, Flow, has connected over 150 communities and new developments through the build out of its fibre network as the company continues to invest in delivering services to the unserved and underserved across the country.

This is in addition to the thousands of residents, in over 750 rural communities, who have been connected or received enhanced services since 2016 under the company’s Mission Connect programme and can now access faster Internet and sophisticated cable television services.

“We made a commitment to bring as many Jamaicans as possible into the connected space. This means investing in our communities right across the length and breadth of the country. We’ve ensured that in all parishes, hundreds of residents who previously had no service at all, now have access to fixed and mobile broadband, voice services and cable TV. These services are even more important during these times,” shared Stephen Price, Country Manager.

IN PHOTO: Stephen Price

Noting that the company had seen an over 47% increase in bandwidth consumption since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Price stated, “We have expanded both our fixed (fibre) and mobile (LTE) networks to both unserved and under-served communities across the country as we recognise the importance of our services to education, community development and commercial growth.

This investment is making a major difference - keeping families and teams connected while powering businesses and online learning. We are proud of the work we’ve done as the only operator in Jamaica to bring this level of connectivity to so many rural communities.”

The news is welcomed as the Government continues to manage the spread of the coronavirus. With online learning still required and many employers being encouraged to again adopt work from home models, access to broadband remains critical as the nation moves forward.

Citing examples such as the company’s data free access to its Flow Study platform which facilitated over 59,000 students, and its partnership with the Ministry of Education and One on One Educational Services for the virtual classroom which hosted over 48,000 users, Price added, “We’re mindful of the critical role we play in this new normal and have ensured that where possible, we provide the necessary support to Jamaicans.

​"When we embarked on Mission Connect in 2016, the objective was to help bridge the digital divide and empower Jamaicans by opening the doors to the many opportunities – personally, professionally and commercially - that exist in the online space.”

Approximately J$40B has been invested in the network expansion programme since 2016. The company currently provides over 60 per cent of Jamaica’s fixed broadband service across the country while its expanded LTE mobile network delivers 95 per cent population coverage.

The following are the communities and developments which have been added on Flow’s fibre network since March when Jamaica recorded its first COVID-19 case:

HANOVER
· Hopewell
· Lookout
· McCreary
· Montpelier
· Sandy Bay
· Spring Pasture
· Walford Hill
· Lucea | Copperwood
· Lucea | Esher
· Lucea | Malcolm Heights
· Lucea | Ridgemount
· Lucea | Bulls Bay
· Lucea | Town Centre

TRELAWNY
· Castlewood
· Clarks Town
· Duanvale
· Falmouth Gardens
· Hague Land Settlement
· Salt Marsh | Seafield

ST JAMES
· Montego West Village Phase 3
· Montego West (Extension)
· Bogue

CLARENDON
· Fyall Estates
· Rocky Point

MANCHESTER
· Devon | Hibernia
· Ortanique Drive | Spur Tree

ST ELIZABETH
· Middle Quarters
· Todd Town
· Mountainside
· Burnt Savannah

WESTMORELAND
· Albany Housing Scheme
· Negril Estate
· Shrewsbury Housing Scheme

ST CATHERINE
· Appleton Heights
· Beacon Hill
· Beckford Farm
· Cotton Piece
· Gordon Pen
· Keystone Pines
· Linstead
· Newland Heights | Ewarton
· Phoenix Park Phase 3
· Portmore Villas
· St. Jago South and Tredegar Park
· Central Village | Windsor Heights
· Mercury Gardens| St. Johns Heights
· Angels Plaza
· Bayside
· Knollis
· Gordon Pen
· Twickenham Park
· Vanity Fair | Zephyrton Road

ST MARY
· Baileys Vale
· Boscobel
· Cox Street
· Grants Town
· Mason Hall
· Oracabessa | Bariffe Hall
· Oracabessa | Berwick
· Oracabessa | Liberty Castle
· Tower Isle
· Vanity Fair
· Port Maria

ST ANDREW
· Jones Town
· McCauley Heights
· Palms of Edinburgh
· Greenwich Town
· Central Road
· St. Benedicts Heights

PORTLAND
· Orange Bay (Port Antonio)

- Advertorial