Telecoms Showing Strong Recovery – Minister Vaz

Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says telecommunications companies Digicel and Flow continue to show strong and sustained recovery.

In his address at Wednesday’s (December 10) post-Cabinet press briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities at Jamaica House, Mr. Vaz said that as of December 5, Digicel had brought 749 of its 925 sites back online, representing 94 per cent restoration.

“Approximately 81 per cent of the Digicel mobile network is now functioning supported by a combination of commercial power generators, satellite technology wherever infrastructure was heavily damaged,” he said.

“On the fixed side, Digicel fibre network has shown robust recovery in many parishes – Kingston and St. Catherine and Manchester, with more challenging conditions in St. Ann, Westmoreland and St. James,” he noted.

Turning to Flow, the Telecommunications Minister said that the company is at 86 per cent restoration with 64 per cent of customers back online.

“Significant work is being completed on fibre repairs and network rerouting. Flow continues to align its progress with Jamaica Public Service (JPS) restoration, especially in the corridors from Ocho Rios to Spanish Town; Falmouth to Montego Bay; and Mandeville to May Pen,” he pointed out.

On the mobile side, Minister Vaz said 80 per cent of the sites are back in service allowing the network to carry 97 per cent of its pre-hurricane traffic.

In addition, temporary mobile units have been deployed in heavily impacted communities in Westmorland and St. James, while the technical teams continue to strengthen inter-site communication.

Minister Vaz said the companies continue to work to improve the service.