“Oliver’s Farring Cyaad is a very significant accomplishment for me as I am supporting a company that is 100% Jamaican as well as doing my part to preserve our historic culture by infusing it with technology of the future.  It is quite a unique and exciting calling card as it offers prompts in Patois, so when you use the card you can press one for English and two for Patois,” said a beaming Oliver Samuels.

Roland Phillips, Senior Director for Telecommunications, Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology representing Minister Phillip Paulwell remarked, “The launch of this innovative product, Oliver’s Farring Cyaad is yet another demonstration that the private sector is ready to embrace new products and respond creatively to the demands of the new economy.  As a wholly owned Jamaican enterprise, the new product has creatively wrapped it into the best of Jamaica’s cultural expressions.  It is our hope that the spirit of enterprise that has driven our bright young people to seize this opportunity in this highly competitive business will motivate others to explore investment opportunities in this dynamic sector.

The highlight of the launch, however, was when Jamaica’s cultural icon, Louise ‘Ms.  Lou’ Bennett, called from Canada during Oliver’s speech.  Ms. Lou gave her heartiest congratulations and wished him all the best on this venture.  A seemingly surprised Samuels then continued to share with Ms. Lou and those present how he got started in the performing arts and how honoured he felt when he performed with her.

Guest Speaker at the function, Dr. Carolyn Cooper, Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona in congratulating Oliver Samuels on this milestone stated, “So mi ha fi big up People’s Telecom fi gi wi Mr Oliver calling card fi tek di big stress offa wi.  Wi can relax an tek wi time talk.  Wi know seh di phone bill naa go breed wi.  Up to 50% a go knock offa di cost fi mek long distance call.  An a no no banduulu business.  Strictly bonafide.”

She further went on to say, “An mi really ha fi congratulate People’s Telecom fi di vision weh it tek fi set up di first discount telecommunications provider inna di island weh Jamaican people own.  100% JAMAICAN.  Yu see dis ownership business?  Is not a easy ting.  Some people fraid fi go inna business.  A too much responsibility.  Dem cyaan sleep a night time a fret bout di business.  So dem lef it to other people.  An when di other people dem mek money, dem who want sleep a night time get vex.  An seh is must tief dem other one a tief fi mek money.  Dem naa admit seh dem did fraid fi tek chance.  A it mek my friend Mutabaruka seh I'm see plenty people a do management studies but him no know nobody a do owner studies.  Well, di People’s Telecom people do fi dem owner studies.  Dem know seh dem ha fi band together an tek everybody lickle mickle an mek a muckle.  An a so dem a gwaan.  Dem naa sidown wait fi people employ dem.  Dem mek work fi demself.  An fi nuff other people.”

Oliver’s Farring Cyaad is the brainchild of Michael Dawson, VP Business Development, PTJ who stated “Oliver’s Farring Cyaad is our flagship product; it epitomizes who we are and what we are trying to accomplish as an indigenous Jamaican company.  We believe that the marketplace needs a home grown carrier that it sensitive to the communication needs of Jamaicans and that is willing to deliver it at a bargain price.  People’s Telecom is setting a new precedence in the Jamaican arena!”

Additionally, persons will hear Oliver’s voice in English and Patois which is very hilarious and in keeping with the season- after all ‘tis the season to be jolly.  Though admittedly a smaller company relative to the multi-national players; People’s Telecom boasts superior technology and a corporate structure that allows the company to customize products for the end user.  In fact, unlike the bigger carriers, People’s Telecom is negotiable dependent on volume and the destination(s) called.

The realization that there was a need in the market for a discount international telecommunications carrier led several young Jamaican entrepreneurs to pool resources to proudly become the first 100% Jamaican owned discount telecommunications provider in the island.  Hence People's Telecom was formed with the idea that a Jamaican company formed by its People, to serve its People in providing jobs and opportunities for Jamaicans here and overseas will get the support it needs to become the true PEOPLE’S TELECOM of Jamaica.

“Jamaicans, for a very long time had no choice but to endure the burdens of high long distance calling rates of multi-nationals that provided exorbitant prices on international calls,” stated Keecha Hamilton, co-founder of People’s Telecom.  “We have used a combination of low overheads and next generation technology to deliver quality service at a very economical price.”

People’s Telecom Jamaica Limited was formed in early 2003 to take advantage of the opportunities that became available in the Telecommunications sector due to a phased deregulation mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 2000.  The popular sentiment at the turn of the century was that the monopolistic power held by a foreign corporation in the information age was not only allowing a company to enjoy exorbitant profits at the expense of its people but worse, - home grown businesses were being denied the opportunity to compete in this thriving market and international rates in particular remained extremely high.