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Free public Wi-Fi now available in Sam Sharpe Square

Published:Wednesday | January 29, 2020 | 12:03 PM
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Fayval Williams (right), listens to a comment from Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, during the Universal Service Fund's free WI-FI hotspot commissioning ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, on January 24, 2020 - Contributed photo

Residents of St James now have access to free, secured Internet service.

Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay was on Friday commissioned into service as the latest public Wi-Fi hotspot by the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology.

Portfolio Minister Fayval Williams, in her address during the ceremony, encouraged persons to “use the Wi-Fi wisely, use it well… use it responsibly”.

She implored Jamaicans to be vigilant when they are online in order to reduce their vulnerability to cybercrime.

“Our ability to connect with each other and engage with the technology has become a great enabler for growth and development, but I have to tell you that it makes us vulnerable as well,” Williams said.

Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Homer Davis, in his remarks, also encouraged citizens to use the newly commissioned Wi-Fi service responsibly.

“Remember, your [digital] footprint cannot be erased and I, therefore, ask you all to be mindful of cybersecurity issues such as hacking, identity theft, among other [threats],” Davis said.

The public Wi-Fi project, being executed by the Universal Service Fund (USF), is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that the island obtains 100 per cent Internet access and citizens are exposed to technology in order to facilitate economic and social development.

The Sam Sharpe Square facility is the first of four to be installed over the next few months, with other hotspots to be established in Portland, Clarendon and St. Ann.

Free Internet access is already available in Half-Way Tree, St. William Grant Park, Olympic Way, Devon House and Emancipation Park in Kingston and St Andrew, Cecil Charlton Park in Mandeville, Manchester and in Junction, St Elizabeth.

Internet service is also available at the more than 300 Community Access Points established by the USF across the island.

-JIS News 

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