FLOW planning roll-out of '1Gig' internet speed in VI

FLOW BVI, a major internet service provider (ISP) in the Virgin Islands (VI) has announced that it is pumping millions into a network upgrade that will facilitate the Premier Andrew A. Fahie administration’s vision for economic diversification in the territory.

Flow’s network revamp announcement comes on the heels of Premier Andrew A. Fahie touting the internet as the next new frontier for the territory’s economic growth.

As such, the company said it will be introducing double broadband entry-level speeds from 50 to 100 megabytes, and up to a gigabyte speed in the near future, the latter of which is not widely offered in the region.

More Internet Speeds for VI

Speaking during a Media Breakfast on Thursday, March 25, 2021, Country Manager of FLOW BVI, Ravindra Maywahlall said smart devices are key facets of today’s world, as such, connectivity is paramount.

“Our parent company started a European project to introduce gigabyte broadband there, so I just thought it would be at the forefront to facilitate the vision of the BVI government as to the new economies that they are looking to bring on board where reliable internet connectivity and speeds will be paramount.”

He said by June 2021, FLOW’s goal is that all homes in the VI would have access to the company’s fixed infrastructure, thereby enabling customers to have a better internet experience and that gigabit internet will be groundbreaking.

“To the best of my knowledge, gigabyte internet is only being offered in Barbados, so this will put us on the forefront and as a market leader where broadband technology and speeds are concerned,” he said with pride.

$$ pumped into upgrades - Mr Maywahlall

Meanwhile, Mr Maywahlall said this system upgrade is a promise that is being fulfilled, however, it did not come cheap.

“This year alone, we are investing $1.5 million. From 2018 to now, that is closer to $15 million. It’s not just the fibre you see on the poles; we have to upgrade our core infrastructure, the various exchanges around the island.”

Flow’s network revamp announcement comes on the heels of Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) touting the internet as the next new frontier for the territory’s economic growth.

“The next gold mine for us with the economy and improvements to [the] economy and other revenue streams that will come to our territory, most of them will significantly depend on the very effective internet system,” Hon Fahie said during a sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) on March 9, 2021.

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