LIME invests billions in mobile network

Telecoms giant LIME is investing US$79 million or J$8.7 billion to upgrade its mobile network to deliver more of its fast 4G broadband speeds to more places across Jamaica.

These developments come in light of the recent World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, under the theme 'Broadband for Sustainable Development'. The company is broadening Internet connectivity to potentially cause more persons to earn additional income.

The company's push is inspired by a study conducted by leading communications and technology provider Ericsson, in conjunction with Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology. It revealed that income in developed economies rose by U$2,100 (J$230,000) annually in homes equipped with average Internet speed of four megabits per second (Mbps). At eight Mbps, income increased by an additional U$1,500 per year.

In less developed economies like Jamaica, with at least 0.5 Mbps, household income would increase by U$800 (J$88,000) per year with the possibility of an additional U$600 (J$66,000) when speed is improved to four Mbps. To hasten the uptake of landline broadband service that can deliver those desirable results, LIME will be offering subscribers up to four times existing speeds in the near future. This, in addition to its popular and affordable Browse and Talk service, especially for lower-income households, help to close the national broadband connectivity gap.

Those vital facts, considered in conjunction with the Planning Institute of Jamaica's most recent figures which revealed an explosion in the number of Internet users in Jamaica over the past three years, set the stage for developing tremendous earning possibilities for more Jamaicans. The full-service telecoms provider waged a successful lobby for the Government to enact the necessary changes to regulations, enabling it to make these additional investments.

LIME is also seeking closer collaboration with the Government to enable more Jamaicans to access the Internet, which is increasingly becoming a tool for earning additional or fresh income. This is in addition to an existing partnership with the Universal Access Fund for the deployment of Internet access to communities through schools, public libraries and post offices across Jamaica.