assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact
assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact
assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact
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2. Telecommunications<br />
The telecommunications sub-sector 19 remained relatively operational throughout <strong>the</strong> event<br />
although damage to telecommunications network was sustained in <strong>the</strong> parishes <strong>of</strong> Portl<strong>and</strong>, St.<br />
Mary, Clarendon <strong>and</strong> St. Thomas. Direct damage to <strong>the</strong> telecommunications sector was<br />
estimated at $260 million.<br />
a) Telecommunications Service Providers<br />
FLOW reported that while <strong>the</strong>ir backbone infrastructure remained operational throughout <strong>and</strong><br />
after <strong>the</strong> hurricane, damage was sustained to approximately 10% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir distribution network.<br />
This was due to fallen trees <strong>and</strong> utility poles on cable lines. Approximately one-fourth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
cable plant in Port Royal will need replacement <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re was loss <strong>of</strong> cable service to The<br />
Norman Manley Airport <strong>and</strong> Port Royal areas. FLOW reported that service was restored to 80%<br />
<strong>of</strong> affected customers within 24 hours <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> event. Disruption <strong>of</strong> service during <strong>the</strong> event was<br />
due to fading due to extremely heavy cloud coverage <strong>and</strong> strong winds <strong>and</strong> flying debris which<br />
caused misalignment <strong>of</strong> some dishes.<br />
Cable <strong>and</strong> Wireless reported that major damage sustained, was to <strong>the</strong>ir overhead transmission<br />
infrastructure, Cellular Sites <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir administrative buildings. The parishes <strong>of</strong> St.<br />
Thomas, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, <strong>and</strong> Manchester along with St. Andrew were most affected.<br />
Damage was sustained to <strong>the</strong> microwave line connecting St. Thomas into <strong>the</strong> mobile network<br />
<strong>and</strong> to a fibre optic cable which affected service in Manchester, St. Elizabeth <strong>and</strong> Clarendon.<br />
Over 1 000 customers were without fixed line service because <strong>the</strong> M<strong>and</strong>eville Exchange was<br />
flooded <strong>and</strong> equipment damaged; an antennae in Laughl<strong>and</strong>s in St. Ann was blown out <strong>and</strong><br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r antennae at Huntley in St. Elizabeth was also blown out. This affected service in<br />
Whitehouse, Junction, Malvern, Thornton <strong>and</strong> Siloah. In Old Harbour Bay, St Ca<strong>the</strong>rine,<br />
19 According to <strong>the</strong> World Telecommunication Indicators (ITU 2005), Jamaica has 18.7 main telephone lines per<br />
100 inhabitants, 82.2 mobile cellular telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants <strong>and</strong> 39.9 internet users per 100<br />
inhabitants. Jamaica’s telecommunications l<strong>and</strong>scape also consists <strong>of</strong> some 146 telecommunications licenses,<br />
including 49 Internet Service Providers, 32 Internet Voice Service Providers, <strong>and</strong> 20 Data Service Providers, among<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
56