Months after being presented with a telecommunications licence, Green Gibraltar Inc on Friday launched a demonstration of its service in Rockstone Village, Region Ten, where residents will benefit from free internet access for the next 90 days.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips turned on the switch of a test unit which will grant connectivity to the remote community during a simple ceremony held on Friday morning.
In his address to residents, Phillips said that the PPP/C government had promised to improve connectivity in the hinterland communities in their manifesto and they remain committed to bridging the digitial divide in Guyana.
“We made it clear that in our term in office we will work towards improving connectivity with all of our hinterland locations with the coastland and with the wider world. In other words, we are committed to bridging the digital divide here in Guyana,” Phillips said.
He pledged that the government will continue to work with Green Gibraltar and other internet service providers to ensure that every Guyanese is digitally connected. “ICT connectivity is important…We are happy that we were able to facilitate Green Gibraltar,” the Prime Minister noted.
Phillips said as the new local telecommunications service provider embarks on demonstrating its capabilities, the people of Rockstone will be connected to the internet free of cost for the next 90 days.
After this, Phillips said Green Gibraltar will determine what will be the next move. “The people of Rockstone, you will be the first to share your reviews in terms of the service provided over the 90 days and perhaps if you want to mention any area for improvement…This is like moving from almost near to zero to hero. Meaning a high level of connectivity,” he said.
The test unit consists of a 4G LTE tower which delivers fixed wireless internet to residents of the community without having to install cable or fibre. It is solar powered and has a battery cabin which powers the system.
Director of Green Gibraltar David Mahmalji said the company is grateful for all of the support it received from the Government. “The folks at Rockstone really make this thing very easy to get after. All these folks rolled up their sleeves and got to it and in a matter of days, there was this structure connecting this small village in Guyana to the rest of the world,” he said.
With the continued support from the government, Mahmalji said Green Gibraltar will roll out “many” other sites throughout the hinterland of Guyana. “The sky is the limit. We are very happy to have this as our first demonstration site,” he said.
Green Gibraltar was presented with its telecommunications licence in February of this year.
Months before this, they had announced that the company had applied for the granting of an individual licence to operate a public telecommunications network and offer a public mobile telecommunications service in regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten.
It also applied for frequency authorisation to use spectrum and to install and operate radio communication equipment in the operating of the network and service.
Benefits
With a population of mostly Amerindians, the community of Rockstone is located approximately 26 kilometers west of Linden, Region 10. While it is well-known for fishing, the majority of the residents depend on farming and tourism to earn an income.
With internet connectivity, activities in the communities are expected to be boosted, especially in the areas of tourism, education and health.
The benefits are expected to contribute to their leisure activities.
In terms of e-commerce, Mahmalji pointed out that micro businesses will be able to launch websites which will allow them to take reservations and even accept payments.
Additionally, learning will be easier for the children and even the teachers as learning materials have become more accessible and online classes are now an option.
A teacher, Sharmila Allen told Sunday Stabroek that she will personally benefit tremendously since she will be attending the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in the new term and will be able to attend classes virtually. “This internet will be very beneficial to myself and other teachers,” Allen said.
She added that teachers will also be able to complete the curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education.
At Friday’s launch, a demonstration was done on how the internet will impact the health sector.
A medical application was built to automatically save patients’ medical records and history, including their blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar and weight. Patient information can be accessible to doctors any part of the world, allowing them to tend to patients without being physically present.
Nurse Seynoudla Torres explained that in Rockstone Village there are no doctors on site and as a result only the first level of care is provided. The nearest doctor, she said, is in Linden.
With the app, she explained, the doctors will be able manage patients from the community and guide her and other nurses.
It also allows for video calls between patients and health care providers.
Sunday Stabroek spoke to a number of residents who pointed out how being connected will benefit them.
Most emphasised the role it will play in supporting their children education. “It will be better,” Mary Marks said as she reflected how her three children were unable to attend school during the COVID-19 pandemic due to absence of the internet.
Meanwhile, Cynthia James said “my children could get more contact to the teachers….When they (teachers) send lesson, they will get it now”.
Apart from doctors, residents told Sunday Stabroek that there is also no midwife in the community. They said while doctors do visit from “time to time”, the internet connectivity will allow for 24 hours medical assistance, especially in cases of emergency.
