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The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) is to begin a comprehensive study next month on the requirements for ensuring a successful switchover to digital in 2015. Digital switchover is the term used for the replacement of the traditional analogue television (TV) broadcasting system with digital format. Jamaicans will have to upgrade their television sets and recording equipment to receive digital...

The Petroleum Company of Jamaica Limited (PETCOM) has been given a new lease on life, provided the state enterprise can maintain and improve its profitability, grow its market share and achieve greater levels of customer loyalty and satisfaction. In the recent past, PETCOM was among state enterprises slated for divestment, but Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon....

Finance and Planning Minister, Hon.  Dr. Peter Phillips, said that the $11.2 billion added to the budget will allow for a pay down on arrears and ease the burden on the government of carrying over outstanding amounts to the next fiscal year. He was explaining the need for a third Supplementary Estimates, reflecting the increased spending for the financial year,...

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, will chair the board of the proposed Jamaica Energy Council (JEC), establishment of which has been approved by Cabinet. Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, said the Council was being established to, among other things, deliberate on and give consideration to the country’s energy needs, going forward,...

A two-man delegation, led by Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, is in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a preparatory meeting for the ‘Connecting the Americas’ summit. Part of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Connect the World Series, the summit, to be held in Panama from...

The Meteorological (MET) Office of Jamaica and the rest of the world will be observing World Meteorological Day on March 23, under the theme: ‘Powering our future, with weather, climate and water’. Head of the Climate Branch at the MET Office, Clifford Mahlung, informed that the MET Office will this year focus on educating the public about alternative energy sources,...

The Government has renewed its commitment to providing electricity at affordable costs to remote communities and marginalised groups across Jamaica through a rebranded Rural Electrification Programme (REP). The programme was incorporated in 1975 with the specific mandate to expand the reach of electricity supply to rural areas, where the provision of such services would not be economically viable for commercial...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said that the government is moving to establish a “super regulatory body” to effectively monitor the telecommunications sector. The functions of the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Broadcasting Commission will be merged to create this super agency, he informed. Mr. Paulwell was...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says the pricing mechanism used by the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam, is the best method for calculating product prices. “There is a priority pricing formulation that enables Jamaica to maintain a deregulated energy sector, which allows for Petrojam to compete effectively with possible imports from external sources and the Gulf ...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said that the government is willing to consider all feasible proposals aimed at easing the burden of high energy costs on Jamaicans. He was speaking at on March 15 unveiling of the conceptual drawings for construction of the Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS) new multi-million dollar Hydroelectric Power Plant in...

State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Julian Robinson, says the Government intends to adopt several strategies to strengthen the capacity for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), to advance national development. Speaking at the launch of a Strategic Roadmap development for STI in Jamaica, at Jamaica House, Tuesday March 13, Mr. Robinson said that although it is...

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says he is committed to ensuring that all Jamaicans, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, have full and equal access to technology. “This government is committed to levelling the playing field for all Jamaicans,” he said. “We are going to ensure that every square inch of this island is broadband...