As Jamaica prepares for another Atlantic hurricane season, local telecom providers are placing greater focus on network resilience, backup systems, and disaster recovery.
According to a recent Jamaica Observer report, Flow Jamaica says it has strengthened its disaster preparedness after Hurricane Melissa, including the use of satellite-backed connectivity through its partnership with Starlink.
Flow Jamaica Vice-President and General Manager Stephen Price said the company now has direct-to-cell capabilities, and that about 40% of Flow’s mobile network is supported by satellite because of its Starlink partnership.
This is an important development for Jamaica, especially during hurricane season, when fibre lines, cell towers, and power infrastructure can be damaged by high winds, flooding, and storm surge.
Satellite-backed connectivity can help telecom providers keep parts of their network online when traditional infrastructure is affected. For businesses, this also highlights the importance of having backup internet options, disaster recovery plans, and alternative communication methods in place before a storm arrives.
While recent international news showed Digicel PNG becoming authorized to resell Starlink services in Papua New Guinea, there is currently no confirmed report that Digicel Jamaica is selling Starlink locally.
For Jamaica, the more relevant development is Flow’s use of Starlink-supported satellite connectivity as part of its network resilience and disaster recovery strategy.
As severe weather events become more disruptive, businesses should review their own backup plans, including internet redundancy, power backup, cloud storage, and emergency communication options.
At Prizmatic Technology, we continue to monitor technology developments that may affect local businesses, connectivity, and disaster preparedness.
Source: Jamaica Observer — “LESSONS LEARNT!”
Image credit: Photo by Stilgherrian, licensed under CC BY 2.0.