The Universal Service Fund (USF) has restored 23 free public Wi-Fi hotspots across St Mary, an investment of $50 million, as part of the State’s effort to improve digital access and strengthen connectivity in communities across northern Jamaica.

The restoration follows the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, when more than 95 per cent of the USF’s Wi-Fi sites across the parish were damaged, disrupting access to an important resource for residents, students and small-business operators.

Communities benefiting from the restored service include Broadgate, Castleton, Robin’s Bay, Annotto Bay, Hamilton Mountain, Albion Mountain, Windsor Castle, Friendship Gap, Wood Park, Woodside, Bonny Gate, Mango Valley, Gayle, Islington, Richmond, Epsom, Hampstead, Luna, and Highgate.

Chief executive officer of the USF, Charlton McFarlane, said the restoration represents a significant step towards reconnecting communities and ensuring residents can benefit from reliable internet access.

McFarlane was speaking at the opening leg of the USF Connec’ Di North Coast Tour at Giant Family Mart in Port Maria, St Mary, on October 29, which officially launched the restored Wi-Fi locations and brought Government agencies, utility providers, and other partners together to engage residents and provide access to various services.

He noted that Internet connectivity has become increasingly important to everyday activities, extending beyond communication and entertainment to education, business and family connections.

“In 2026, Wi-Fi is more than connectivity,” McFarlane said. “Many persons here in the parish of St Mary, maybe in the town of Port Maria, are content creators. Some persons rely on the Wi-Fi to do their assignments [while] some persons rely on the Wi-Fi to connect with their families.”

The initiative forms part of the USF’s wider programme to establish 61 community Wi-Fi and 28 public Wi-Fi sites across northern Jamaica, with approximately 47,000 residents expected to benefit from improved Internet access.

In St Mary, an estimated 4,000 people are expected to benefit from the restored facilities. Port Maria is among the locations benefiting from the initiative, with eight access points capable of accommodating more than 500 users simultaneously.

McFarlane said the USF has also introduced several improvements to strengthen the resilience of the Wi-Fi network and reduce the risk of service disruptions during future hurricanes.

Previously dependent largely on fibre-optic cables, the network now incorporates satellite Internet technology, including Starlink, alongside solar-powered systems.

McFarlane pointed out that the fund continues to cover the monthly costs associated with maintaining the service, while encouraging residents to report any outages to its help desk to facilitate timely intervention.

“This is the USF’s gift to the people of St Mary,” he noted.

— JIS