Free Wi-Fi being planned for resort towns
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Chief executive officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Daniel Dawes said the entity, which is mandated to further Jamaica’s access to information and communication tools, is currently working on a “big project” to have all resort towns across Jamaica fitted with free Wi-Fi service.
According to Dawes, discussions are currently in an embryonic stage, but the aim is to have the service, which will be paid for by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and implemented by the USF, accessed free of cost to visitors to the island in certain areas.
“Not just to treat with the boulevard here in Montego Bay here, but Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland and the list goes on and on. So, that is a project to treat with tourist resort areas,” said Dawes as he added that it is too early to give an implementation timeline.
“We are still doing the paperwork on the design and all of that. It is very comprehensive. Can you imagine us running all the way from Negril Square up through the [Norman Manley] Boulevard and maybe on the western side? It is going to take a lot of resources,” stated Dawes.
“It is going to cost a tidy sum of money,” added Dawes who noted that the final cost is still being worked out.
Dawes was supported by executive director of TEF Dr Carey Wallace who underscored that it is too early to provide a cost and the details of the project.
However, Wallace said a plan is currently being mapped out for the main street and the promenade in Ocho Rios, St Ann, which is expected to be the pilot.
“Eventually, we will look at the busy spots in the other resort areas. But for now, that is the one [Ocho Rios] that we are negotiating with USF on,” said Wallace.
“We want to make the destination a smart destination as much as possible and one of the requirements for that is to have in many of the public spaces, especially the resort towns,Wi-Fi access — and in so doing, in this modern time, allow for our visitors and locals alike to share content and information on the great experiences they are having in real time,” added Wallace.
