MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Even as residents here await the completion of a highway project expected to drive commerce and more housing developments, telecommunications company Digicel has expanded its services.

General manager of Digicel+ (home entertainment service provided by Digicel), Shawn Clarke told the Jamaica Observer that the company is focused on expanding its service to create a digital hub.

“So far, we have invested US$4.3 million to deliver this advanced Internet and TV experience to homes in Manchester. The amount is part of our huge US$200-million ‘Digital Jamaica’ commitment, launched in July 2021, towards building Jamaica as a digital hub within a three-year investment cycle,” he said recently.

“This investment opens up fresh opportunities for more persons in rural Jamaica to participate in and benefit from the growing digital economy. It also bridges the digital gap, and propels us further toward delivering on our promise of 100 per cent Internet connectivity across Jamaica within the shortest time possible,” he said.

The US$188-million May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 — which will reduce travel time between Kingston, Mandeville and points west — is expected to be completed by March 2023.

When asked about Digicel’s timeline to expand its network to remote areas, Clarke said progress was being made.

“We are now at the halfway mark of our three-year Digital Jamaica investment strategy. Already, we have expanded Digicel+ wireless broadband service to every parish, making it the rural householder’s choice for fast, reliable Internet at home. We are making plans to expand the reach of our Fibre-to-the-Home service to more people,” he said.

Digicel+ is available in Mandeville and its environs with customers benefiting from fast Internet speed.

“[It has]speeds of up to 1GB to over 100,000 households. It also includes a wireless broadband service that offers fast in-home Wi-Fi to mainly rural households,” said Clarke.

— Kasey Williams