Digicel’s 4G: A huge technology wave for J’cans

With this service, Digicel customers who choose either prepaid or postpaid packages can access super-fast Internet through a 4G modem to their computers or laptop. Customers can choose among the seven, 14 and 30-day plans, or a monthly postpaid plan. Customers who register for the 14 or 30-day plans will get double usage time up to September 30. The service is available across all parishes, covering 60 per cent of the population and 200 communities with further roll-out planned.

The opportunity exists because while up to 64 per cent of people have access to internet in Jamaica, only about four per cent of the population has access to the Internet in their homes or on the go because of the low penetration of broadband. 4G broadband will open up endless possibilities to these people, said Digicel CEO Mark Linehan at the launch of the new service held at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston. More particularly, it could increase the educational and employment opportunities for Jamaicans and improve GDP growth, thereby facilitating the development of a better economy. However, perhaps the most important component is its possible effect on businesses and productivity.

“The research has shown that for every 10 per cent increase in broadband, that increases GDP per capita by 0.9 per cent to 1.5 per cent,” said Linehan. “In time, the same way mobile phone penetration increased the efficiency and productivity of businesses and people, this will have a similar effect,” he told Sunday Finance. “If you look at the broadband penetration at the moment, there are businesses in Jamaica, across Jamaica that do not have access to the Internet and that’s slowing their potential down. But this will release their potential and open up huge opportunities to them,” he said.  More