Jamaica - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Jamaica - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Jamaica's telecom sector is largely propped up by the mobile sector, which accounts for most internet connections as well as a dominant share of sector revenue. The merger between Digicel and Claro's Jamaican business in 2012 strengthened Digicel's position in the market. Both Digicel and its only rival, Flow (supported by its new owner Liberty Global), have extended their LTE networks across the island, offering coverage to about 90% of the population by the end of 2018. Digicel during the year signed a sale and leaseback arrangement affecting a number of base stations and launched its MyCash m-money service, while Liberty Global is in the process of taking complete control of its local unit, trading under the Flow Jamaica banner.

The regulator has endeavoured to develop the MVNO sector in a bid to improve competition. Although it had intended to licence up to 12 operators, only one licence was issued, to Symbiote Investments. This company launched Caricel Jamaica but sold most of its interest in the operator in February 2018. The government has since moved to revoke the licence.

This report contains overviews, analyses and statistics of the Jamaican fixed-line, mobile and broadband markets together with information on convergence issues and on the country's fixed line incumbent and major mobile operators.

Key developments:

Digicel launches MyCash m-banking service;
Court of Appeal upholds regulator's revocation of Caricel Jamaica's licences;
Liberty Global seeking complete ownership of C&W Jamaica;
Ericsson completes network upgrade for Flow Jamaica;
Digicel and Flow Jamaica expand LTE services reach;
Digicel expands FttP network, demonstrates XG-PON technology providing data at up to 10Gb/s;
Digicel completes nationwide WiMAX network using 2.5GHz spectrum assets;
Flow embarks on $150 million investment program in Jamaica, secures spectrum in the AWS band between 1710MHz and 2200MHz;
East-West cable between Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic augments capacity for data and telephony services;
Government sets up Quality of Service platform to incorporate fixed, mobile and internet services;
IXP opened to improve domestic internet traffic flow and reduce costs;
Report update includes the regulator's annual report for 2017, market updates to Q2 2018, operator data to Q3 2018, ITU's 2017 market data, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Columbus Communications, Digicel, Cable & Wireless, Flow, LIME, Liberty Global