POND ISLAND--TelEm Group will be moving forward with its plans to create a fibre optic network for Dutch side that the company said will “revolutionise” telecommunication services in St. Maarten.
The company has selected three districts to test its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections for a wider fibre optic network as part of the expansion of its “Smart City” programme.
“Not only will the new technology enable exciting new telecommunication features in the home and office at previously-unattainable speeds, it will also pave the way for a host of new business opportunities for creative and innovative individuals in the St. Maarten community,” TelEm said in a press release on Tuesday.
TelEm made the statements in a press release on Tuesday, on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel said once again the company is “ahead of the game” in anticipating the theme of the International Telecommunication Union for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day today: ICT entrepreneurship for social impact.
“We are already laying the groundwork for future entrepreneurial activity and indeed, we believe that once we have rolled out our fibre optic network to the homes and businesses, the impact on everyone on St. Maarten will be incalculable,” Etnel said.
The company said it has already secured funding from European Investment Bank (EIB) to put its fibre optic infrastructure in place for FTTH, and it has learned much from the three test projects, where the Fibre-to-the-Home systems were installed. “We have trained our local personnel and also our own local contractors, so that we are properly equipped to meet the challenge of building this new fibre optic network island-wide in the shortest possible time,” Etnel said.
She agreed with the message from ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao that “Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs),” start-ups and technology hubs are the drivers of innovative and practical solutions for catalysing progress, especially in developing countries.”
In St. Maarten, she added, as in other parts of the world, small to medium-sized enterprises make up the greater percentage of business activity and represent for many, a path toward business success, providing of jobs and generally lifting of the economy and creation of wealth.
“TelEm Group remains committed to providing its customers and the community of St. Maarten with the technology of the day that will help to improve society in general. We believe we are taking a giant step in that direction with our plan for an FTTH infrastructure for the Dutch side and use the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day today to remind ourselves and everyone of that commitment,” she said.
TelEm congratulated everyone in the telecommunication sector, particularly its personnel on World Telecommunication Day for their “continued commitment and pride in providing a vital service to the St. Maarten community.”
Source: Daily Herald
Three districts chosen to test TelEm fibre to home project
