Month: November 2025

USF-Funded Opportunities Propel St. Thomas Youth to National and International Success

St. Thomas Scholar Keeps Winning – Jamaica Information Service

It has been quite the year for St. Thomas scholar Matthew-Rae Edmondson, who has been finding himself at the top of winners’ lists all year long and showing no signs of slowing down.

In July, Matthew-Rae and his teammates from the Seaforth High School ICT Club secured an unforgettable opportunity after copping first place in the EU/USF Short Video Competition, earning an all-expenses-paid trip to Brussels, Belgium. The team’s creative storytelling and strong grasp of digital skills placed them ahead of dozens of entries from across the island, further highlighting the growing talent within Jamaica’s youth ICT community.

Then in September, the 17-year-old added yet another major achievement to his résumé, this time taking top honours in the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) High-School Photo Competition. His winning photograph not only impressed the judges for its composition and message, but also earned him a $200,000 cash prize and a brand-new laptop to support his academic and creative pursuits.

Now a first-year student at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Matthew-Rae remains grounded and driven.

“It’s a very wonderful feeling knowing that I’m the first person in my community and school to win such a major competition. It gives me a sense of accomplishment,” he tells JIS News.

Matthew-Rae’s success reflects the power of opportunity, mentorship and access — values that the Universal Service Fund continues to champion through its investments in youth connectivity, digital skills and community innovation.

From classroom clubs to national competitions, he continues to prove what becomes possible when young Jamaicans are equipped with the tools to explore technology, express themselves creatively, and develop solutions that can impact the world.

The USF congratulates Matthew-Rae on an outstanding year and looks forward to seeing how he will continue to shape Jamaica’s digital future.

USF Rolls Out Emergency Connectivity Solutions Following Hurricane Melissa

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is ramping up the delivery of community connectivity solutions to areas affected by Hurricane Melissa. The announcement was made during a Hurricane Melissa press briefing at Jamaica House, where Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, emphasized the Government’s coordinated push to restore communications across the most impacted communities.

As part of this national response, the USF has been rolling out satellite-powered Starlink Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile connectivity stations, and other emergency ICT interventions to bring internet access back to communities where traditional networks remain offline. These solutions allow residents to access emergency updates, reach loved ones, request assistance, complete essential online transactions, and reconnect with critical services during the recovery period.

USF teams continue to work restore digital access as quickly as possible. These connectivity solutions are central to ensure communications resilience, especially in communities that remain cut off due to storm-related damage.

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As Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa, the USF remains unwavering in its mission to provide Connectivity for All. Through the rapid deployment of resilient satellite-powered technologies and the restoration of community Wi-Fi access islandwide, the Fund is helping ensure that no community, no matter how remote, is left without a vital digital lifeline. These interventions are reconnecting families, restoring stability, and strengthening Jamaica’s path to recovery and resilience.

As Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa, the USF remains unwavering in its mission to provide Connectivity for All. Through the rapid deployment of resilient satellite-powered technologies and the restoration of community Wi-Fi access islandwide, the Fund is helping ensure that no community—no matter how remote—is left without a vital digital lifeline. These interventions are reconnecting families, restoring stability, and strengthening Jamaica’s path to recovery and resilience.

USF’S Connec’2Recovery Hurricane Relief Tour Brings Mobile Wi-Fi and Charging Support to Montpelier, Handover

The Universal Service Fund (USF) rolled out a mobile Wi-Fi and charging station in Montpelier, Hanover, on November 7, to provide critical connectivity support for residents impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charlton McFarlane, told JIS News that the agency’s community Wi-Fi infrastructure sustained significant damage when Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, disrupting services across several parishes. As a result, the USF deployed its mobile unit to ensure that residents could stay connected during the recovery phase.

The mobile station offers free high-speed Wi-Fi, device charging, and a stable connection for residents who need to access emergency updates, reach family members, complete online transactions, or communicate with support agencies. This intervention is part of the Fund’s ongoing national response to restore connectivity in the hardest-hit communities.

Mr. McFarlane noted that the USF team is currently conducting assessments islandwide to determine the full extent of the damage and will continue rolling out temporary solutions, including Starlink-supported services and additional mobile units, until permanent infrastructure can be restored.

He reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to ensuring Connectivity for All, emphasizing that access to reliable internet is an essential service, particularly following a disaster of this scale.

Looking ahead, the USF will continue to work closely with national stakeholders, local leadership, and community groups to accelerate connectivity restoration efforts across Jamaica. As communities rebuild, the Fund remains focused on delivering resilient, future-ready ICT solutions that strengthen disaster response and support long-term digital inclusion. Through these efforts, the USF is ensuring that no community is left behind as the nation recovers and moves forward.

USF Restores Connectivity After Hurricane Melissa


When Hurricane Melissa devastated sections of Jamaica, many communities were left without electricity, telecommunications, and reliable access to information.
To support the national recovery effort, the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been rapidly restoring connectivity by:
Deploying free community Wi-Fi across the hardest-hit locations.
Distributing over 700 Starlink satellite devices to provide immediate internet access where traditional networks remain down.

Working closely with government partners, local responders and community leaders to ensure residents can access emergency updates, connect with loved ones, and resume essential online services.

As Jamaica recovers, USF continues to deliver its core mandate of expanding universal access to ICT services, ensuring that even in times of national crisis, communities are not disconnected from vital information, digital tools, and opportunities. These efforts are part of USF’s long-standing commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive and connected Jamaica.

These interventions are helping underserved and remote communities regain stability in the aftermath of the storm. As recovery continues, USF remains committed to strengthening digital resilience and ensuring connectivity for all, especially when it matters most.