New Telecoms Licences Expected to Enhance Services

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick says the renewal of telecoms and spectrum licences to the country’s two major telecommunications providers is expected to result in better Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services.

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining, yesterday issued the licences, which is expected to bring in revenues of $12 billion.

Delivering the 2014/15 Throne Speech in Gordon House on April 3, the Governor-General, stated that the Government recognises the importance of growing the ICT sector.

“It enhances business productivity and competitiveness. It is also a source of significant employment of our people,” he said.

The Governor-General noted that growth has returned to the sector in new areas such as animation and software development, and with the expansion of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) activities.

He added that opportunities exist in the sector for “those who wish to participate and contribute to the country’s growth and development”.

Pointing out that work is proceeding to provide ICT access to citizens across the island, he noted that $800 million is being spent on 27,000 tablet computers for students, in time for the 2014 academic year.

The Governor-General also noted that the government, in every parish at multiple locations, has provided public facilities where “any Jamaican can have full access to a range of data services, including the Internet at broadband speed”.

Themed: ‘Going for Growth: Creating Opportunities’, the Throne Speech, marks the official opening of Parliament, and the start of the fiscal year, which began on April 1.