Flow launches Jamaica’s first commercial 5G network

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Flow has switched on Jamaica’s first commercial 5G mobile service, giving customers with compatible devices access to quicker downloads, sharper call quality and stronger mobile connections.

The telecoms company said Thursday that the service is already live in Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, May Pen and along the North Coast. Flow said the new network now reaches roughly 70 per cent of Jamaica’s population.

The company plans to extend 5G access before month-end to Mandeville, Santa Cruz, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, Bull Bay and Morant Bay.

Flow said the rollout comes after several months of upgrading its systems and investing more than US$74 million. That figure includes over US$50 million spent improving the mobile network and more than US$24 million used to acquire spectrum.

Flow Jamaica Vice-President and General Manager Stephen Price told the launch that the milestone should be viewed as more than an increase in internet speed. “We have the technology. We have the people. We have the talent. And we are at this intersection of all these three things which will augur well for the future of Jamaica. Flow, Liberty Business will take you there. 5G is a game changer for businesses and ordinary citizens in Jamaica and we are deeply committed to enabling this future,” Price said.

Price said the upgraded network includes Voice over Wi-Fi, Voice over LTE and stronger backup arrangements at mobile sites. He said those features are meant to support more dependable service, including during emergencies and power outages.

He also placed the launch within Jamaica’s wider push to build out the digital economy and take advantage of newer technologies. “We have seen the growing ambition across our government, businesses, entrepreneurs, and young innovators who want to build, create, and compete globally,” he said.

Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz welcomed the announcement, saying it represents a major advance in the strengthening of Jamaica’s technology infrastructure. “The rollout of 5G marks a pivotal point where that vision takes concrete form. The government has made digital transformation a top priority. We have introduced digital IDs, streamlined government processes, and explored emerging technologies to ensure Jamaica’s benefit from modern infrastructure,” Vaz said.

Vaz said 5G could open space for growth in education, healthcare, business and public services, while supporting innovation and wider economic development.

With the launch, Flow becomes the first telecoms operator in Jamaica to sell commercial 5G service. The company says users can expect mobile speeds more than three times faster than what had previously been available locally.