By Sue-Ann Wayow
FIBRE infrastructure in Tobago is expected to be expanded bringing the total investment for the island up to $50 million.
On Monday, Chief Executive Officer of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Lisa Agard revealed that the company’s infrastructure is expected to reach another 3,000 homes in communities like Charlotteville, L’Anse Fourmi, Parlatuvier, Castara, Les Couteaux and Moriah.
The $50, million investment is part of the $120 million announced by TSTT to invest in fibre optic cables.
Agard speaking at the Speyside High School, said, “When this is complete, we will have fibre throughout the length and breadth of Tobago. 95% of the island will have coverage. 95% of Tobagonians can connect to our high-speed, high-quality broadband services.
“This is a major network coverage expansion project, and I am pleased to say that no other service provider here in Tobago can and will be able to match this. We are on a mission to ensure that all Tobagonians have access to the connectivity tools that are so fundamental for today’s rapidly changing, digital world and I can confidently say we are close to achieving this mission.”
TSTT handed over a Huawei IdeaHub to the school with wireless internet connectivity being provided by TSTT.
Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Farley Augustine advocated strongly for the school to be the recipient of the Huawei IdeaHub investment for several reasons.
He explained, “We have a community in Speyside that was one of the last to receive access to telephones. Up to the late 1990s, we were sharing landlines between neighbours and homes. And not too long ago, parents had to pay for the Encyclopedia Britannica which was how students got access to information.”
Augustine called on the teachers and students in attendance to utilise the device in its entirety and welcomed the telecommunications investment in the school, the community and the country by way of the fibre network deployment.
“I don’t think TSTT understands what it means for us in the countryside of Tobago. This will change not only the school but the community too. Speyside High is deeply connected to the community around it and is the best model for a successful school,” Augustine said.
Agard also said, “In today’s world, basic digital skills are becoming a basic requirement for employment, even in jobs classified as low-skilled. Let me also point out that there is a huge, global shortage of ICT skills. ICT skills are, therefore, your passport to jobs anywhere in the world.”
TSTT in a media release stated that the 86″ Huawei IdeaHub bundles intelligent writing, High Definition (HD) video conferencing and wireless sharing. It allows for whiteboard functionality, screen projection from other devices, and remote collaboration.
It is also a Red Dot Award 2020 winner, one of the most prestigious international design competitions for product design, communication design and design concepts.
