US government and Jamaica partner for high-speed internet deployment

Experts from the US Department of Commerce's Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) partnered with the Spectrum Management Authority and other technology agencies within the Government of Jamaica to expand and expedite broadband internet service to underserved communities in the country. During a workshop in Kingston, Jamaica, CLDP brought together representatives of the Jamaican Spectrum Management Authority, the Office of Utilities Regulation, and other governmental agencies to hear from the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Microsoft's Airband Initiative, and the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association. Day one of the conference focused on rural connectivity through private sector solutions while the second day will cover governmental programs such as the FCC's Universal Service Fund. The keystone of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding creating a framework for future collaboration between the two governments ad the strong interest to continue working closely together on common information and communications technology objectives.