Various businesses, residents and educational institutions in the second city have been enjoying wireless Internet at available speeds of up to 2mbps.  The users are giving the service high marks for its utility and reliability.

"We are able to get real time, high quality video links with the UK using our messaging service on the Internet," said Clive Brown, a partner in Julia's Restaurant in Bogue Heights, St. James.  "The system has been most reliable and it should be a great asset in some business plans we are now finalizing."

Students at the Herbert Morrison Comprehensive High School in Montego Bay have found that the fast Internet access is particularly convenient for their research and assignments.

"Sixth formers and students doing SBA (CXC School Based Assessments) have been making very good use of the high-speed wireless connection," said Vivette James who teaches Information Technology.  "They are very impressed with the reliability and the speed."

CWJ has deployed a state of the art network, specifically designed for resilience and flexibility, in Reading, Belmont, Westgate Hills, Unity Hall, Bogue Industrial Estate, Bogue Heights and Bogue Village.

CWJ's wireless network utilizes microwave links enabling customers who may not have fixed line service to get the same high speed Internet access that its ADSL subscribers currently enjoy.  The technology allows the Company to offer high-speed Internet and voice services in areas of the country where the terrain mitigates against cable dependent services.

"Wireless technology has come a long way in recent years and it's now a viable alternative in areas where it was not feasible to set up a fixed line network," Roger Richards, CWJ's Senior Vice President for Internet, Voice and Data explains.  "With the wider deployment of our wireless network, Cable & Wireless is leading the way in providing this kind of technology in Jamaica and giving customers additional options for Internet access and voice services."

Cable & Wireless is currently preparing an aggressive roll-out of its wireless broadband service and is predicting that it will have significant customer take up over the next 12 - 15 months.