The company yesterday officially announced its plans for the local market at a media breakfast at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Company officials said Flow has, over the past weeks, been systematically deploying a state-of the-art broadband fibre-optic network across the island that carries enough capacity to deliver high-speed Internet access to every Jamaican business and household.  However, the start of service to residential customers will not be announced until next month.  In the meantime, the telecoms company will be offering a "triple play" - digital landline service, digital cable service with over 250 channels and ultra high-speed Internet access.

"We aim to drive down the telecommunications prices in Jamaica to make the country more competitive and to help to provide huge growth in the local market which will benefit both corporate and residential customers," said Chief Executive Officer of Flow, Richard Pardy.

Added Pardy: "It isn't our objective to dominate everybody in the sector but to ensure that all Jamaicans have access to the Internet."

He said that his company also aims to create employment and investment opportunities that will ensure corporate growth in Jamaica and help in advancing the technology sector.

Residential customers, Pardy said, would be offered the ease of choosing affordable packages that are specific to their needs and would be offered significant discounts on multiple services.  Pricing for broadband Internet access, he said, will be $650 monthly.

Flow boasted that its cable system would be providing its customers with high definition service, superb picture quality, clearer sound and the option of parental control.

Meanwhile, as part of its contribution to community stewardship in Jamaica, Flow has announced that, in conjunction with the education ministry, the company would be providing schools with free Internet access.  Some institutions already benefiting include Kingston High, Ardenne High and Campion College.  Flow is also in the process of buying out four local cable companies in its drive to provide quality service to Jamaicans.  The company, first set up here in 2002, has rapidly grown now employing more than 80 workers and scores of contractors.  At least 300 more Jamaicans will be employed during this year.

"We need to appreciate their desire to contribute to the telecommunications sector in Jamaica," said Commerce, Science and Technology Minister Philip Paulwell.

"It is not the death of the cable network but the growth and development of the telecoms sector," Paulwell told the media breakfast.

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