Jamaica’s ICT

Readiness David McBean

David McBean & Associates

Jamaica in the World of ICT

Jamaica has had fully digital networks for well over a decade

Known for its Call Centre/BPO operations for over two decades now

Jamaica has access and exposure to significant skills (hardware and software)

We export many of our trained people

Jamaica ranked 93rd by ITU in world ICT rankings

Physical Infrastructure

Significant fibre rings augmented by "fibre radios" island wide including a nationwide undersea ring

Both FLOW/Columbus and LIME have fibre assets underground

3G/(4G) Mobile networks are ubiquitous with penetration rates in excess of 130%

Five international fibre links, and at least four international earth stations

Necessary but not sufficient

Regional Submarine Cable

ICT Support Services

Fledgling software industry

Established call centre location

Growing BPO presence

Capable technical support companies with access to international players

IBM, Fujitsu-ICL, Illuminat, etc

Experience with major software systems

Oracle, SAP, etc

ICT is the glue

Port Community Systems

Regulatory Systems – Customs

Logistics Companies Software Systems

Warehousing, Operation Management, Location Systems, etc

Basic Systems

Accounting, Communications, etc

What would a hub require?

World class voice and data networks

Network and Software technicians to support ICT needs

ICT Systems Support

Skilled personnel to support core logistics activities

Dependent on range of activities

Basic technicians to high;y-skilled specialists

Education

Key is mapping the likely needs of operators to training

HEART/NCTVET do adequate training at the technician level

UWI,UTECH, etc have to shift focus

Higher and better output of science and technology graduates vs liberal arts degrees

Real opportunities lie in having higher level skills

Some ICT Jobs likely

Electronic Technicians

Software, Mechanical & Electronic engineers

Network Support Staff

Database Administrators

Systems Analysts

Software Programmers

What we need to do

World class data switching infrastructure

True 4G mobile networks (LTE) to provide quick connectivity for remote SEZs

Re-orient our education towards science, technology, and engineering

Involves all, HEART, UWI, UTECH, etc.

Map opportunities to training

(what kind of hub will Kingston become?)

Make No Little Plans

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect.

(1846-1912)