INTRODUCTION
Since the liberalization of the Telecommunications sector in 1999,
phenomenal strides have been made in the area of Information and
Communications Technology (ICT). Jamaica now boasts tele-density in
excess of 108%; a 100% digital telecommunications network; submarine fibre optic transmission ring around the island; international submarine cable links from Jamaica to Cayman, the Dominican Republic,
Cuba and Florida; and a competitive ICT sector.
An additional outcome of liberalization has been the growth of the Business
Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. Jamaica has become a highly competitive
and attractive business destination and a leading contact centre location
in the English-speaking Caribbean. As at March 2014, the local ICT/BPO
industry is estimated to be valued at US$230 million, accounting for six per
cent of the Caribbean and Latin American market. Additionally, there are
36 ICT/BPO operations employing over 14,000 individuals in the industry
and is poised to double in size by 20162.
While Jamaica’s tele-density indicates universal access to voice telephony,
internet penetration and more specifically fixed broadband penetration
remains low at 4.4% in 2013. Through the Universal Service Fund (USF)
the Government has and is utilizing various strategies to encourage
access including the:
LOCAL ICT/BPO INDUSTRY
IS ESTIMATED TO BE VALUED AT
US$230
MILLION
06%
OF THE CARIBBEAN
¡¡establishment of Community Access Points (a total of 181 to date);
¡¡establishment of an island-wide broadband wide area network connecting
secondary schools, libraries and select post offices and health facilities; and
¡¡deployment of technology in schools through the eLearning and the
Tablets in School Projects.
Additionally, it is expected that more consumers will have access to
broadband with the grant of a licence for the use of the 700 MHz spectrum
for mobile broadband deployment.
AND LATIN AMERICAN
MARKET
36
ICT/BPO
OPERATIONS
BY 2016 IS POISED TO
DOUBLE IN SIZE
8
2. Doing Business in Jamaica’s Knowledge Services Sector, JAMPRO, March 2014
National Cyber Security Strategy
Government of Jamaica