Jamaica to provide internet access in its poor communities

Black Issues in Higher Education, Sept 23, 2004 by Ronald Roach

KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Jamaica's Commerce and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell announced in late August a plan to provide free Internet access in poor communities across the island, according to news reports.

The "e-Jamaica" initiative will establish 60 Internet centers across the country by 2010. mostly in most offices, according to Paulwell. The program is directed at communities "that continue to operate on the outskirts of the communications revolution." the minister was quoted by the Associated Press.

Eventually, people will be able to use post office centers to conduct online transactions like paying traffic fines and making national insurance payments. according to the Nan. The project, which will be funded by the Jamaican government and the Inter-American Development Bank, includes Internet training scholarships for 900 people.