KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Whether on the hills of Rock Hall, the heart of Trelawny, or aboard a Kingston city bus, the Universal Service Fund (USF) is redefining what it means to bring digital access to all Jamaicans.

Between July 3 to 18, the agency rolled out free Community Wi-Fi in two underserved areas and even demonstrated onboard internet connectivity in collaboration with public transportation providers.

These efforts signal a growing national movement to bridge the digital divide, and USF is at the forefront, not only deploying infrastructure but actively building partnerships that extend access to education, employment, and essential online services.

On July 3, USF officially activated high-speed Community Wi-Fi in Rock Hall, St. Andrew, a rural hillside community where digital access has long been a challenge. While, on July 11, the USF team also visited Trelawny to activate two new Community Wi-Fi sites in Warsop and Duanvale.

Local leaders, residents, and USF representatives gathered for a photo opportunity to celebrate the milestone, which now enables easier access to online research, job applications, small business marketing, and online government services.

Additionally, bringing connectivity on the move, on July 18, the USF joined the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for the launch of its new bus fleet, where it showcased free onboard Wi-Fi for passengers.

This partnership represents a bold step forward in Jamaica’s journey toward becoming a smart, digitally inclusive society. Commuters had the opportunity to connect in real time and experience how mobile connectivity can transform the public transportation experience.

Last week, the Universal Service Fund (USF) successfully launched four new Community Wi-Fi hotspots across Jamaica, marking a significant step in our mission to bring internet access to underserved areas.

Newly connected communities are:

St. John’s Road, St. Catherine

Dalvey Square, St. Thomas

Hellshire Park, Clarendon

Clifton, Clarendon

Mr. Charlton McFarlane, CEO of USF, shared his thoughts:

“These Wi-Fi hubs are an important part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital age. With greater access to the internet, these communities will have new opportunities for education, business, and personal growth.”

Alston, Clarendon, celebrated a transformative milestone this week with the launch of high-speed Community Wi-Fi. This game-changing initiative promises to eliminate long-standing connectivity challenges and open new doors for residents in education, business, and beyond.

The launch on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, will allow students to access digital learning resources more easily, while local entrepreneurs can tap into broader markets. More importantly, it helps bridge the digital divide, offering affordable internet to a community that previously lacked consistent access.

Community leaders and citizens expressed their excitement over this project’s transformative potential. The launch represents the Universal Service Fund’s commitment to expanding digital access across Jamaica, ultimately fostering growth and improving quality of life.