5G at last!

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Flow has officially launched Jamaica's first 5G mobile network, opening the door to faster downloads, clearer calls and improved connectivity for thousands of customers already equipped with 5G-ready devices.The telecommunications provider announced on Thursday that the network is already available across Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, May Pen and the North Coast, with coverage reaching about 70 per cent of the population.Additional communities, including Mandeville, Santa Cruz, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, Bull Bay and Morant Bay, are expected to be added before the end of the month.The launch follows months of network modernisation and more than US74 million in investment, including over US50 million in mobile network upgrades and more than US24 million spent on spectrum acquisition.Speaking at the launch, Flow Jamaica Vice-President and General Manager Stephen Price said the rollout represented far more than faster internet speeds.We have the technology. We have the people. We have the talent. And we are at this intersection of all these three things which will augur well for the future of Jamaica. Flow, Liberty Business will take you there. 5G is a game changer for businesses and ordinary citizens in Jamaica and we are deeply committed to enabling this future, Price said.He noted that the network incorporates Voice over Wi-Fi, Voice over LTE and enhanced backup systems at mobile sites to improve reliability and resilience, particularly during emergencies and power disruptions.Price also linked the launch to Jamaica's broader ambitions to expand its digital economy and embrace emerging technologies.We have seen the growing ambition across our government, businesses, entrepreneurs, and young innovators who want to build, create, and compete globally, he said.Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz welcomed the development, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the country's technological infrastructure.The rollout of 5G marks a pivotal point where that vision takes concrete form. The government has made digital transformation a top priority. We have introduced digital IDs, streamlined government processes, and explored emerging technologies to ensure Jamaica's benefit from modern infrastructure, Vaz said.He argued that the technology could create opportunities across sectors including education, healthcare, business and public services while helping to drive innovation and economic growth.The launch makes Flow the first telecommunications provider in Jamaica to offer commercial 5G services, with the company promising mobile speeds more than three times faster than those previously available in the local market.