It’s show time in JAMAICA!

BY JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM

Gone are the days when technological development on the island of Jamaica was a reflection of a third-world country standard. The island, referred to by many as ‘the pearl’ of the Caribbean, isn’t just known anymore for delivering athletes and music at first-world standard, but now, technology.

When Digicel, owned by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien first established itself in Jamaica in April 2001, telecommunication on the island was nowhere close to where it is today.

Fast-forward to 2019, and there is breaking news that US-based media streaming provider, Netflix, has given Digicel (Jamaica’s Home and Entertainment service) top ranking for having internet streaming, speed averaging 3.46 Mbps. This streaming average rivals network speeds measured in several first world countries.

Ricardo Creary, a telecommunication consultant, reflecting on the Jamaica of yesterday, expressed, “It feels like only yesterday that internet service here in Jamaica was behind first-world countries by miles. I remember the days when Jamaicans had to install the huge satellite dish, just to be able watch movies on foreign channels; and when I speak about satellite dish, we know that only the rich and famous could afford that. These days, we have come such a far way as a people, that everybody is watching movies on Netflix. Children can be seen sitting on the sidewalks in the communities with their laptops and their friends watching Netflix movies.”

The streaming average is the fastest network speed on the island, resulting in a huge improvement being experienced by Jamaicans. In accepting the Netflix badge of approval, Home and Entertainment Consumer Manager for Digicel Dave-Michael Laing, commented, “Binge-watching is a favourite pastime for our customers these days, and they rely on our 100% fibre network to deliver all of their favourite Netflix shows in high-definition, right there in the comfort of their homes.” Laing added, “This ranking from Netflix proves our committed effort to satisfying and meeting their demand for streaming and other online activities.”

Quick Fact

The Netflix ISP Speed Index is a measure of prime time Netflix performance on particular ISPs (internet service providers) around the globe, and not a measure of overall performance for other services/data that may travel across the specific Internet Service Provider’s network.

Digicel runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets, including the Digicel Foundation in: Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago, which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes. These programmes include the construction of computer rooms, the donation of computers and the installation of Internet connection to be used by students and members of the community.