THE Universal Service Fund (USF) has confirmed plans to roll out 63 additional community Wi-Fi hot spots across Jamaica by the end of this fiscal year.

This expansion builds on the 380 Wi-Fi hot spots already installed islandwide, with coverage now reaching every constituency.

The move is part of the USF’s continued push to bridge the digital divide in underserved and remote communities.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative during the latest Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange, USF Chief Executive Officer Charlton McFarlane noted that access to Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

“We are trying to bridge the digital divide and by making every single Jamaican connected, because we see access to digital services and Internet connectivity as not a privilege — as it may have been 10, 15, 20 years ago — but certainly now it is a right,” he said.

The Community Wi-Fi programme began around 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which forced schools into remote learning and highlighted the need for nationwide Internet access.

“We go into areas where based on how remote it is, it is not commercially feasible for the private interests to go in and provide Internet service and we look for communities where, from a source of economy standpoint, the residents may not be able to maintain the carrying cost of paying for their own Internet bills, that’s what we refer to when we say unserved and underserved,” McFarlane explained.

He also noted that the USF continues to invest in improving the sustainability of its infrastructure.

One such measure is the solarisation of community access points to ease electricity costs and ensure uninterrupted service.

He said the USF does more than just install equipment, it also assumes the ongoing operational expenses for these equipments.

“When the USF goes in and erects a piece of infrastructure, the USF also carries the operating cost of it, so it is not just an agency which deals only in capital investment, we do maintenance and we take that cost with us,” he said.

He noted that this approach has allowed the USF to maintain more than 300 Community Access Points (CAP sites) across the island.

These are centres that are equipped with computers, printers, projectors, and Internet connectivity, providing vital digital services to communities.

In its efforts to revitalise these spaces, the USF is preparing to launch a new phase of development called “RECAP”, aimed at modernising the CAP sites into smart digital community hubs.

“We have CAP and we will have RECAP and the ‘RE’ means to re-energise the community access points because we want to now move into doing digital smart community centres,” McFarlane explained.

With increasing demand for connectivity across sectors, McFarlane said the USF will also be supporting other Government-led projects as they seek to expand their services.

“We are actively installing Wi-Fi on 120 JUTC buses, the last set of buses that came here last year June and we will be installing into the buses coming this year June as well,” he announced.

McFarlane also noted that USF is also responding to requests from the agricultural sector.

He told Observer editors and reporters that one of the most recent is a proposal to the USF from stakeholders at the Ebony Agro Park in Clarendon, who are seeking digital infrastructure to support modern farming practices.

“We [are] talking about 500 acres of farmland in Ebony Park…none of our community Wi-Fi sites cover 500 acre of lands, as a matter of fact, I don’t even think any of the public Wi-Fi sites cover 500 acres.

“But the farmers are the ones who said that they need this because farming is now more technologically driven and they need systems in place to monitor things like praedial larceny and stuff like that,” said McFarlane of the project which is still in its planning phase.

McFarlane noted that as the USF continues to expand its reach and adapt to evolving digital demands, it is also marking a significant milestone, its 20th anniversary.

As part of the celebration, Marketing and Public Relations Manager Dana DeCordova-Denton said the USF has launched a campaign to highlight its work and future commitment.

“We have started our 20 for 20 campaign, this is where we are giving away 20 laptops to 20 persons through nomination. So persons are able to nominate whether students within the ages of 10-18 or a teacher who is deserving in a underserved community,” said DeCordova-Denton.

She pointed out that the campaign will reflect the USF’s broader commitment to closing the digital gap with a focus on education, and national development through accessible technology.