Digicel and FLOW ready for Tropical Storm Melissa - Vaz

Jamaica’s two main telecommunications providers, Digicel and FLOW, have signalled that they are prepared for possible dislocations arising from Tropical Storm Melissa, Energy and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz has revealed.

Vaz was speaking at a special press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Andrew on Thursday.

Jamaica is expected to start experiencing storm conditions later today into Friday, forecasters have predicted.

Vaz said FLOW has fully activated its crisis management system with support from local and regional teams.

He said the company’s power resilience has been strengthened with over 61 per cent of mobile sites having back-up supply and 143 generators installed islandwide.

“All generators are refuelled and serviced and field teams have been mobilised,” he told journalists.

FLOW’s emergency operations centre has also been activated and can be contacted at 876-929-9834 and 876-929-9837.

Vaz said Digicel has formed a dedicated disaster response core team to ensure continuous operations during the storm.

The company has strengthened communication redundancy with satellite phones and back-up connectivity through other providers, he said.

“All network sites, towers and facilities have been structurally inspected and generators confirmed to be in up and running condition,” said Vaz.

He noted, too, that essential spare parts are secured locally and overseas, and mobile cell sites are ready for rapid deployment to restore service.

Digicel has also conducted safety training and weather simulation drills to enhance preparedness and technical response.

- Livern Barrett

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