Free Internet connection reaches 28 locations

The general public can now access free Internet connectivity at 28 locations across the country, as the Universal Service Fund (USF) continues to roll out its projects.{{more}}

To date, all 12 Learning Resource Centers, located in Sandy Bay, South Rivers, Chester Cottage, Colonarie, San Souci, Biabou, Cane Hall, Questelles, Layou, Fitz Hughes, Union Island and Evesham have been equipped.

Additionally, nine rural schools and five community centres and community locations have already been equipped with high speed wireless Internet.

The nine schools are the Fancy Government, the Owia Government, the Mayreau Government, the Union Island Methodist, the Rose Hall Government, the Petit Bordel Secondary, the Troumaca Government, the Spring Village Methodist and the Paget Farm Government Schools.

The community centres include the Redemption Sharpes Community Centre, the Chapmans’ Village Community Centre and the Community Resource Internet Centres at Orange Hill and Coulls Hill.

National Insurance Services Golden Years Activity Centres at Cane Grove and Black Point and the Salvation Army Headquarters in Kingstown, now also allow for wireless Internet access.

In addition to these locations, very soon, all of this country’s educational institutions will be fully wired to deliver wireless Internet access.

At last Sunday’s Unity Labour Party (ULP) meeting in Barrouallie, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves indicated from a status report that all schools will be equipped with interior and exterior high speed wireless Internet connections, with speeds up to 20Mbps and with redundant connections to each location.

According to the report, such speeds will allow for the easy integration of Information Communication Technologies within the educational curriculum, especially where video streaming would be utilized.

The installation of the equipment was scheduled to begin late last week, with the country broken into four zones: Kingstown, which ranges from Edinboro to the Community College in Glen is expected to be completed by September 19; Windward, which ranges from Fair Hall to Fancy is expected to be completed by September 30.

Leeward, which ranges from Lowmans Leeward to Fitz Hughes should be completed by October 4 and The Grenadines is expected to be completed by October 14.

The project is being completed by telecommunications provider LIME at a cost of $427,608.98.(JJ)