Derrick Smith (second left), minister of mining and telecommunications, in discussion with Danville Davidson (right), acting managing director of Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), and Ida-Gaye Warburton (second right), legal officer at the SMA, during a press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston yesterday. Seated is Marcia Forbes, permanent secretary in the ministry. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Government is hoping to, in the near future, make reams of information accessible via the Internet to Jamaicans living in the most remote communities.

Minister of Mining and Telecommunications Derrick Smith, speaking during a press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston yesterday, outlined Government's plans to provide broadband services islandwide.

"Jamaica is recognised as being among the top countries in the region with respect to telecommunications penetration," he said. "However, while our performance is favourable, we have been lagging with respect to the number of Jamaicans with personal computers and those who have access to high-speed Internet."

Improving accessibility

The minister sought to assure the nation that the Government would continue to improve Jamaica's accessibility.

"When these operators (companies bidding to supply the broadband service) roll out their services, persons living in the rural communities will benefit significantly since they will be able to access the Internet and surf the communications highway," Smith said.

Smith stressed that among the benefits of wider-scale access to the Internet islandwide was job creation and better education through the Internet.