KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica must accelerate its digital transformation to meet the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, with urgent action needed on affordability, accessibility, and digital literacy, says Stephen Price, vice president and general manager of Flow.

He was speaking during a panel discussion on “Meaningful Connectivity” at the Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Conference held Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

“We need a digitally literate population to support our Vision 2030 goals. We have five years to move extremely quickly to achieve this, and we are in full support of the Government in realising our goal of being a technology-enabled society,” Price said.

Flow, a leading sponsor of the conference through its parent company Liberty Caribbean, has been expanding its digital reach since the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has nearly doubled its fibre optic coverage to 760,000 homes and now provides mobile service to 98 per cent of the population. In recent months, it has also added six new cell sites to strengthen coverage in communities including Runaway Bay in St Ann and Ocean Heights in St James.

Beyond infrastructure, Price highlighted Flow’s JUMP programme, which equips vulnerable families with devices, subsidised internet access, and digital literacy training to ensure inclusivity.

The call for digital inclusion was echoed by other panellists.

Elona Cela, senior investment officer at the International Finance Corporation, stressed that rural Jamaicans must not be left behind.

“Children in rural areas must have the same opportunities as those in urban centres to achieve their full potential through broadband access. Without affordable cost, many families will continue to be excluded from the digital revolution,” she said.

Charlton McFarlane, CEO of the Universal Service Fund (USF), noted that nearly 200,000 Jamaicans access the island’s 400 community Wi-Fi hotspots each month.

“This is not just for streaming,” he explained. “It supports student learning and micro-entrepreneurship.”

In her keynote address, Senator Dana Morris-Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth, and information, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to collaboration with the private sector.

“Connectivity cannot be seen as a luxury – it’s our lifeline,” she said. “It’s a bridge to better healthcare, education, governance, and civic participation.”

While outlining the progress made, Price also pointed to systemic challenges. He cited theft and vandalism of network infrastructure as a major setback and called for stiffer penalties. He further urged the Government to unlock spectrum assets at more competitive rates, remove GCT from enabling devices such as tablets, and expand public-private partnerships.

Stephen Price, Vice President and General Manager, Flow, speaks on Meaningful Connectivity at the Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Week at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Tuesday September 30. Looking on is Elona Cela, Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation.