Universal Service Fund to deliver internet connection to hurricane-damaged communities over next six weeks

The Universal Service Fund (USF) will deliver at least 90 community connectivity solutions to areas affected by Hurricane Melissa over the next six weeks.

“Starting today, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is airlifting Starlink units and generators into isolated communities to establish community Wi- Fi hubs and support humanitarian operations,” said Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Daryl Vaz, at a Hurricane Melissa press briefing on Thursday at Jamaica House.

Vaz said that the USF is deploying Starlink satellite solutions to restore connectivity to communities, starting with Bethel Town, Westmoreland, with 15 installations over the next week.

Mobile units are also being deployed to provide Wi-Fi and charging stations in affected areas.

Vaz said that most of Jamaica’s community and public Wi-Fi networks are offline, particularly in western parishes, affecting more than 150 communities.

He noted that Starlink is also being used to establish mobile backhaul for Flow and Digicel towers in the west, helping to connect 250,000 people in affected areas.

Vaz said the 600 Starlink units – 400 fixed and 200 mobile – which were received by the Government last Friday October 31 have been distributed in priority order to the affected areas.

“Hospitals and emergency agencies are using Starlink to stay connected, request supplies, coordinate relief efforts and more,” he pointed out.

- JIS News

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