The Universal Service Fund (USF) is continuing its “Connec’ 2 Recovery” Tour – an emergency outreach initiative, delivering solar-powered Internet service, device charging, and care packages to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa across Western Jamaica. The six-day relief effort, running from November 6 to 11, is benefiting residents in St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth. Marketing and Public Relations...

The Universal Service Fund (USF) rolled out a mobile Wi-Fi and charging station in Montpelier, Hanover, on November 7, to provide critical connectivity support for residents impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charlton McFarlane, told JIS News that the agency’s community Wi-Fi infrastructure sustained significant damage during Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28. In response, the...

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, Hon. Daryl Vaz. He...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has indicated that efforts are under way to restore telecommunications services to banks, enabling the resumption of automated teller machine (ATM) operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. “There is a programme to give connectivity to the banks in the areas that are cut off from electricity and telecommunications. They are working...

Telecommunications companies Digicel and Flow are working to reinstate service in parishes most severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Providing an update during Monday’s (November 3) press briefing at Jamaica House, Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said that over the next two days, Digicel will be focused on restoring service “from Falmouth to Montego Bay, then Montego Bay...

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Hanover are sharing profound stories of heartbreaking loss, survival and resilience. The Category Five hurricane that struck Jamaica on October 28 has been described as one of the most intense cyclones in the country’s recorded history. The system unleashed widespread destruction across multiple parishes—flattening homes, uprooting trees, and cutting off electricity, water,...

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is deploying Starlink satellite-based internet systems to provide immediate broadband coverage in key communities in western Jamaica. Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the USF’s seven public Wi-Fi hubs and 112 community Wi-Fi hotspots in the western region are down due to hurricane damage, power loss and internet service provider (ISP) disruption....