Mobile Services prioritised to support post-storm connectivity needs

MOBILE SERVICE

With Jamaica still experiencing impact from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, telecommunications provider Flow says approximately 72% of its mobile customers have access to connectivity despite power challenges being experienced with some of its mobile sites.  Several Flow mobile sites are now dependent on backup power provided via generators deployed ahead of the storm.

As was anticipated, the areas of highest impact are St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny and St James. The areas experiencing lowest impact from the storm being Kingston, St. Thomas, St. Andrew and Clarendon.

FIXED INTERNET SERVICE

On its fixed network, only 22% of Flow’s fibre internet customers are currently registering online and able to access services. This is mostly based on limited residential power availability across the majority of the island. The southern and eastern parishes of the island are the areas of lowest impact for internet service outages with relative service stability being maintained in those areas.

The company further notes that some customers may also be impacted by specific incidents of damage caused by the storm in their immediate vicinity that will be investigated once it is safe to do so. Flow also says that its ability to continue to deliver services to customers will also be largely dependent on access to a continuous commercial power supply.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

Flow is inviting customers to utilize its FLOW Essential service, powered by Starlink, which will immediately provide emergency mobile connectivity for SMS and text communications.

Some 3% of Flow mobile customers are now accessing connectivity via this medium based on initial public sensitization efforts. Flow will be deploying widespread communication directly to the devices of customers who are able to access its emergency communication system later this evening (Oct 28) 

As part of its effort to keep customers connected during the storm, prepaid mobile customers are also able to access 1GB of free data,  valid for up to 72 hours after activation.

With damage assessments now limited to its remote monitoring system, Flow says its technical teams are on standby and ready to begin physical damage assessment and restoration efforts as soon as it receives the all clear from ODPEM.

Where possible, Flow customers experiencing service issues are encouraged to contact Flow’s Customer Service team via WhatsApp at 876-620-2200. Additionally, Flow’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) can be reached at 876-929-9834 / 9837 to report emergencies, including downed service lines.