Dennis Minott | E-Quipping Jamaica to run like Bolt

The disparity in internet access and quality across the Caribbean is a stark reflection of differing developmental priorities and economic realities. While French departments like Martinique enjoy European-standard connectivity and Puerto Rico mirrors the continental US, Jamaica often lags, a situation keenly felt by citizens from Port Antonio (like me) to Sav (where some of my Marzouca and Maylor entrepreneur friends and maternal blood relatives are).

The current reality, characterised by inconsistent service and speeds that inhibit full participation in the digital age, represents a significant handbrake on national progress. A hypothetical government programme to install a minimum capacity of 150 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload speeds in every Jamaican household would not be a mere infrastructure upgrade; it would be the foundational act of a profound national transformation, catalysing economic growth, social equity, and democratic renewal.

The most immediate and quantifiable impact would be on the national economy, employment, and household earnings. High-speed, reliable internet is the central nervous system of modern commerce. For Jamaica, this would unlock several tiers of economic potential. First, it would supercharge the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, enabling a move up the value chain from basic call centres to more lucrative and fulfilling services from enthused Jamaican workers like data analytics, software development, and remote medical transcription, which demand stable, high-bandwidth connections.

Second, it would unleash a wave of entrepreneurship. A craftsperson in a rural parish could manage a global e-commerce storefront, a musician could live-stream performances to an international audience, and a small farmer could access real-time market data to realise better prices. This democratisation of economic opportunity would directly boost household earnings and create new jobs far beyond the initial infrastructure installation roles. As seen in South Korea, which aggressively invested in nationwide broadband in the early 2000s, universal connectivity catalysed the growth of a world-leading digital economy and technology sector, transforming its GDP and global standing.

REWOVEN

Beyond the purely economic, the social fabric of the nation, particularly in education and health, would be rewoven. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deep educational inequities linked to the digital divide. With universal high-speed internet, a Munro boy or a Maroon girl residing in a remote part of the Cockpit Country would have the same access to world-class online learning resources, virtual laboratories, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) as a student in Kingston. This would level the educational playing field, enhance teacher training, and better prepare an entire generation for the occupations of the future. In healthcare, the benefits would be life-saving.

Telemedicine could bring specialist consultations to rural clinics, reducing the time and expense of travel for patients. The efficient, secure transmission of digital health records would improve diagnostics and patient outcomes, while public health campaigns could be disseminated instantly and effectively. Small nimble nations like Estonia (population less than 1.38 Million) have demonstrated how a fully digitised society leads to more efficient and accessible public services, a model Jamaica could emulate to bridge its own urban-rural service delivery gap.

Further, such a programme would have a transformative effect on civic life, potentially reversing trends of youth voter apathy and invigorating participation in the democratic process. Young Jamaicans, like their counterparts globally, inhabit digital spaces. A failure to engage them on these platforms is a failure to engage them at all. Reliable internet access for all would allow for the development of robust e-governance platforms, digital town halls, and online petitions, making politics more accessible and relevant.

Political parties and civil society groups could better inform and mobilise citizens, fostering greater transparency and accountability. A connected populace is an informed populace, less susceptible to misinformation or billioneering manipulations and more likely to engage in substantive policy debates. This enhanced connectivity also bolsters national security. A truly reliable island-wide network would make initiatives like Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, and the ‘JamaicaEye’ CCTV programme exponentially more effective, improve data sharing between security forces, and enable more sophisticated command-and-control systems for disaster response and crime fighting.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Finally, the less tangible, yet deeply important, impacts on happiness and quality of life must be considered. Connectivity combats the isolation that can define rural life or affect the elderly. It allows for richer connections with the vast Jamaican diaspora through high-quality video calls, strengthening familial and cultural bonds. Access to global entertainment, culture, and information enriches lives and broadens horizons. The ability for a talented professional such as one of our A-QuEST alumnae to remain in their home community while working for a company anywhere in the world could help stem the so-called “brain drain” and foster more balanced national development.

Studies by organisations like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have consistently shown a positive correlation between broadband penetration and life satisfaction indices. By providing the tools for economic self-improvement, access to better services, and stronger social connections, a nation that is digitally included is invariably a happier and more cohesive one.

The proposition of delivering universal, high-speed internet to every Jamaican household transcends a banal discussion of megabits per second. It is a blueprint for economic diversification, educational equity, enhanced public health, and a more engaged democracy. While the logistical and financial challenges would be considerable, the cost of inaction—of being left behind in a world where digital access is synonymous with opportunity – is far greater. The experience of other jurisdictions proves that such investment is not a cost, but a critical enabler of future prosperity. For Jamaica to truly realise its immense potential, it must first build the digital roads that will connect every citizen to the possibilities of the 21st century.

Dennis A. Minott, PhD, is a physicist, green energy consultant, and longtime college counsellor. He is the CEO of A-QuEST. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com