Two St. Ann Communities Benefit from Free Wi-Fi
By: , August 15, 2022
Photo: Okoye Henry
Chief Executive Officer of Universal Service Fund (USF), Daniel Dawes (third right), and Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Western, Krystal Lee (fifth left), are joined by stakeholders of Brown’s Town in the unveiling of the sign for the Brown’s Town free community Wi-Fi hotspot in St. Ann, on Friday (August 12).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Chief Executive Officer of Universal Service Fund (USF), Daniel Dawes (second right), is joined by Deputy Mayor of St. Ann, Councillor Dalas Dickenson (left); Justice of the Peace, Captain Everton Phillips (third right); and Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Eastern, Marsha Smith, in the unveiling of the sign for the Windsor free community Wi-Fi hotspot in St. Ann, on Friday (August 12).The Full Story
Brown’s Town and Windsor, St. Ann, had the launch of free public Wi-Fi under the Universal Service Fund (USF) Community Wi-Fi Initiative on Friday (August 12).
The secure Internet connectivity has a range of 800-feet and can allow up to 200 residents to simultaneously log on with their smartphones or tablet devices.
The installation of the community Wi-Fi is part of USF’s mandate to increase Jamaicans’ access to information and communication tools to facilitate development, as well as increase the use of ICT devices across the country.
In his address, USF’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Dawes, said Steer Town is next in line for community Wi-Fi.
Additionally, he indicated that the entity is also prepared to install public access Wi-Fi hotspots that can accommodate up to 500 individuals at any one time, in both Brown’s Town and St. Ann’s Bay. This means Brown’s Town will be getting another hotspot.
“So, you must understand that Government is not here because you like Government. The Government is here to work for the people because people come first and foremost,” Mr. Dawes said.
A resident of Windsor, Hopeton McKenzie, said the community Wi-Fi is already of great benefit to his son, who freely accesses the reliable and convenient Internet service.
“Before, we didn’t have any Internet and I used to [put on] data plans and stuff like that. Now, I really appreciate it. I’m really glad for it and many other people in the community are glad to see it same way,” Mr. McKenzie said.
“You have the kids them crowd up around here so and all of them enjoy it and use it with them tablet and thing, as well as other people,” he added.
Brown’s Town resident, Churline Robinson, said the installation of the community Wi-Fi will be beneficial to the children in the town, as many households cannot afford the utility. She lauded USF and the Government on the initiative that is improving Internet access in St. Ann.
“Well, I have to tell them thank you very much for everything and what they are doing for Brown’s Town,” she noted.