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Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz (JIS Photo) Latest News November 11, 2025 Telecoms network rebounding as Jamaica receives 700 Starlink units after Melissa KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s telecommunications sector is steadily recovering following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, bolstered by the arrival of hundreds of satellite internet units and ongoing restoration work by major providers. Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz, speaking Tuesday at a press conference at Jamaica House, announced that 700 Starlink satellite units have been donated to support emergency communication across the island. He said the devices are being distributed to key agencies including the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. “The kits will enhance communication and strengthen logistical coordination and accelerate the national response in affected areas,” he explained. According to Vaz, 400 Starlink units came directly from Starlink’s head office and its team currently assisting on the ground in Jamaica. An additional 200 units were provided by charity organisation Medic Corps, while 100 more came through other donors. He added that the government has identified a local supplier with 250 to 350 additional units in stock, which the state is now exploring to purchase to further strengthen national connectivity. “So that we can roll out the full apparatus of starlink that is required for all essential government and NGOs that are working in this are,” he said. Meanwhile, telecom providers continue to restore services disrupted by the hurricane. Flow Jamaica is currently operating at 87 per cent of its pre-hurricane capacity. Digicel, he reported, has restored 57 per cent of its mobile network, while its fixed-line and business networks have reached 89 per cent and 75 per cent restoration, respectively. Vaz said the donated satellite systems, combined with continued restoration works, are critical to re-establishing reliable communication across the island, especially in communities still struggling with limited access due to Hurricane Melissa. “Again, Flow and Digicel are working hard to make sure that they get connectivity and I’m working with them to get some additional spectrum so that they can improve their service during this time,” said Vaz. As for fuel supply, the minister says the majority of petrol stations are now operational. Tags: Digicel Flow Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Telecommunications {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER Latest News Jamaica records more than 1,000 flights in 13 days following Hurricane Melissa November 11, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s aviation sector has shown strong resilience in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, with the country recording 1,138 flights b... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, Regional Guyana signs production sharing agreements with international oil and gas firms November 11, 2025 GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyanese government Tuesday signed a production sharing agreement for the shallow-water Block S4 offshore Guyana with... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Portmore church extends helping hand to Trelawny after Hurricane Melissa BY CARLYSIA RAMDEEN Observer Online reporter ramdeenc@jamaicaobserver.com November 11, 2025 ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The Portmore-based House of Transformation Worship Centre has stepped in to assist residents of Trelawny who were affected by ... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Two communities remain marooned after Melissa — ODPEM Rain could affect relief efforts this week November 11, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Commander Alvin Gayle says two communitie... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Support Jamaica portal donations top US$1 million November 11, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has received just over US$1 million from its donation portal via credit cards so far, according to Minister of Information... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Hurricane Melissa death toll in Jamaica rises to 45 November 11, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government says the official death toll in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa has increased to 45. Minister of Education, Skills, Yout... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Hands in Unison donates over 250 care packages to hurricane-hit Trelawny communities November 11, 2025 TRELAWNY, Jamaica — More than 250 care packages were distributed to residents of the Martha Brae and Zion communities, as well as individuals housed a... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read. 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