Guyana expands ICT hubs, partners with Digicel

Guyana's public telecommunications ministry, through the eGovernment unit, has to date created 55 so-called ICT connectivity hubs across the country, mostly in coastal areas, of which 30 are effectively operational with Wi-Fi access.

Nearly 100,000 people from six regions reportedly have free internet access through those hubs, minister Catherine Hughes said at a mid- year press conference, the ministry reported.

Training programs on internet use and to improve digital literacy will now be rolled out in coming months in the aforementioned regions.

The eGovernment unit is also providing free internet access to people visiting government agencies and public institutions, the ministry said.

In addition, 86 secondary schools, 17 technical/vocational institutes, four regional education offices and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have been connected to the eGovernment platform.

The ministry also signed a MoU for the deployment of a fiber optic ring around the University of Guyana's campus to improve connectivity.

Speaking to BNamericas last December, minister Hughes highlighted the challenge of connecting Guyana, a country with 250,000 square miles and only three quarters of a million people.

"In the coastal area we have a fiber optic network where [fixed telephony telco] GT&T provides service. But when you get to the interior locations, some of which you can only reach by flying - we're talking about two hours in a small plane - our history shows those communities are totally cut off. Some have very limited mobile service and that service is only provided by Digicel," Hughes said on the occasion.

Presidential advisor on eGovernment and chairman of the national data management unit authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi, who was also present at the mid-year conference, said that the agency partnered with Digicel to extend the government's network into communities where Digicel provides services to, which include Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Kwakwani, Bartica and Madhia.