The community of Newlands in Portmore, St Catherine, has become the first in the area to get free wi-fi under the Universal Service Fund (USF) initiative to increase internet service in various communities.

Speaking at the launch, Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central Alando Terrelonge, welcomed the $7-million facility as a great tool to further the development of the community, especially, education and business.

“Internet is a universal human right that our children must have, that our communities must have, that all our Jamaicans must have access to, because it is now power; and the pandemic has shown that if children don’t have access, we are going to leave them in the dark ages,” Terrelonge said.

While arguing that it is one of the best investments in the constituency, the MP said the system will “foster education, commerce, and development, and we can live in the future, today”.

Angela Dawes, principal of the Newlands Basic School, said some children in the area are from homes without internet, and students from the early childhood to tertiary level will benefit from the service. Businesses in the community will also benefit as “they will be able to advertise their business”.

She added: “The Newlands community is extremely grateful for this internet service, during, and even after the pandemic.”

Youth leader in the area Claudine Duncan told the ceremony that the wi-fi facility is an “opportunity to eliminate glitches with online schooling, and we are grateful for such a privilege”.

Meanwhile, USF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dawes said more than 189 communities across the island will get free wi-fi, and it is a “facility to be used for educational purposes, research and business purposes, and I beg of you to report to the USF any issues affecting it”.

The USF is an agency of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology.