Discussions are being made with satellite Internet service provider Starlink about extending broadband coverage in hard-to-reach areas in Jamaica, according to Minister of Technology Daryl Vaz.
He was speaking during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Starlink, which was given the green light to operate in Jamaica in October 2022 has provided greater access to areas that are not currently served or are underserved, according to the Vaz.
He also said that Jamaica has previously used satellite Internet connectivity through a local provider, noting the Ministry of Education and Youth’s use of the tool during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I know that [the] Universal Service Fund (USF) has already been in touch with them. It’s a matter of how and what we can arrive at, in terms of an agreement, in principle. We know the areas; obviously, USF is very au fait with that,” Vaz said.
“So yes, that has to be a part of the plan in terms of getting better coverage for the entire country, while we do the National Broadband initiative,” the Minister added.
The Minister also said that the National Broadband Initiative, which aims to connect every household and community to the Internet has received Cabinet approval as a national designated plan to be presented to Parliament.
According to Vaz, this will allow the Government to conclude negotiations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) regarding “the model that we will use in relation to the procurement, which will come thereafter”.
“I would expect it to come to Parliament in short order. It is with the Ministry of Finance [and the Public Service] now, and after that, we should be in a position to get moving, as the procurement guidelines have kept us going for the last eight to 12 months; but we are over that now. We’ve got Cabinet approval, so it’s now for the Ministry of Finance to bring it here… and then, of course, somewhere, we can start final negotiations with the IFC,” Vaz said.
