Data and Internet services should be on-stream by the middle of next year the Oceanic management told Wednesday Business.

"We are now testing our capabilities with mobile data applications," David Palmer, MiPhone's senior vice-president of commercial operations told Wednesday Business yesterday. "We are confident that during the second quarter of 2005, we'll be able to offer Internet and data services."

This disclosure by the MiPhone executive comes amidst recent pronouncements by Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell in Montego Bay, that too many areas of the telecommunications sector remain untapped.

PROVISION OF DATA SERVICES

The Minister says he "would like to see more emphasis on the provision of data services, with a corresponding increase in high speed Internet access and broadband services". Meanwhile, Oceanic Digital has announced that its current offering to commercial entities, the MiCall Biz Plan, has raked in "overwhelming response". The MiCall Biz Plan is a pre-paid mobile scheme that offers companies a flat rate for calls and is tailored to the needs of businesses that want to maintain an efficient communication system, while containing their operational expenses.

"The response from the business community to MiCall Biz Plan has been overwhelming. About two months ago when we introduced the plan to Ocho Rios, there was a flurry of interests, an overwhelming response and since we came into Montego Bay during May, we have been getting great feedback," Palmer said.

Palmer explains that for almost a year, scores of commercial entities in Kingston and St. Andrew have been utilising the plan, and have been satisfied with the way it has helped them to slash their operational expenses.

The Miphone official argues that the MiCall Biz Plan offers unlimited calls between employees any time of day or night, companies can also pre-select a monthly prepaid fixed credit amount for select employees or for all members of staff.

CONTROLLING COSTS

"Employees and their top (key) customers have a flat fixed rate on a monthly basis, which allows them to control costs," reports Mr. Palmer, while outlining that the minimum flat rate per person per month is $800 and each plan lasts for a period of one year.

In the meantime, the MiPhone opened its newest sales office on Saturday at Baywest Shopping Centre in Montego Bay, as part of its islandwide expansion programme.

The company indicates that it had to plough some $10 million into the establishment of that facility. The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce has welcomed this new addition to the town, and its president, Winston Dear, feels that Miphone will "certainly enhance commercial activities in the west."

Meanwhile, Craig McBurnett, chief executive officer of Oceanic Digital Jamaica Limited, is predicting that MiPhone should have islandwide service by December.

"We intend to have Negril and Savanna-la-mar covered by August, and by the end of the year, Portland and some interior areas of the island should come on stream," explained the McBurnett. The company expects to almost double its 75,000 MiPhone cellular subscriber base by year-end.

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