Flow has partnered with the Government and non-government organisations to launch ‘Jump’, an initiative aimed at bridging the digital gap in Jamaica, bringing high speed internet, devices and digital skills training to the most rural areas across the island.

At the launch on Wednesday, (October 19), Stephen Price, vice president of Flow Jamaica, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the extent of digital exclusion in Jamaica.

Price added that this has left many students without access to education when schools went virtual and Flow saw it fit to form partnerships as a solution to digital exclusion.

“We are ensuring that all people and communities have the connectivity and resources needed to learn, grow and prosper. We are investing in families to help them afford connections that they need for work, school, healthcare and so much more,” said Price.

Jump is a programme that will provide subsidised broadband service to qualifying, low income households across Jamaica.

The aim is to significantly bridge the digital divide within three to five years through a comprehensive programme that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

A six-month pilot phase of the project is expected to start within a month, the aim to reach 15,000 households across the country identified through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and education (PATH).

“We believe this is a long-term investment that will change lives, unlock the potential in the economy and truly enable progress,” said Price.

Through Jump, Flow will provide citizens in rural areas with an HP Chrome book, high speed connectivity and digital skills training at a cost of J$800 per month.

Price noted that the initial cost was J$3,500 but, given the aim of Jump, which is to provide connectivity for those most vulnerable and with low incomes, it was subsidised.

“The internet is an indispensable lifeline to the world and closing that digital divide is a moral and social imperative,” he added.

Also in attendance was Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy and technology, and Karl Samuda, minister of labour and social security.

Vaz shared that the idea behind Jump was brought to his attention just six months ago and he jumped at the opportunity to partner with and support Flow.

“Things and times have changed dramatically. Technology has been imbedded in our every day lives… however many persons throughout Jamaica still remain unconnected due to them living in rural and remote areas,” noted Vaz.

He noted that this should not be the case and that the Government was working diligently to form partnerships to address the issue.

“There is nothing that is going to put Jamaica on the road to prosperity that does not include good public-private partnership,” said Vaz.

For his part, Samuda noted that Flow has the Government’s support in this initiative and it would continue to work with the private sector to create a better Jamaica.

He also commended Flow for its continued improvement of services, noting that the company has come a far way and “there is a sense of reliability in the service they provide”.

Flow has also partnered with other private sector bodies to make Jump a reality, most notable One on One Educational Services, an award-winning Learning Management System (LMS) that helps Caribbean governments, businesses, and individuals improve education and training so they can be globally competitive.

Other partners include: Caribbean School of Data, Universal Service Fund, Cable and Wireless Charitable Foundation and the Mona School of Business and Management.