Fiber Optic Technology to Propel Development in Tobago

On May 23, the telecommunications company unveiled its newest initiative geared towards making Trinidad and Tobago the best connected country in the region; the Mahogany Fiber to the Home Project, Tobago. Fiber optic broadband is considered to be the fastest growing method of providing vastly higher bandwidth to consumers and in so doing enables more robust video, internet and multimedia content. The project will therefore allow residents and businesses faster and more reliable access to blink | bmobile’s portfolio that includes data, entertainment and security services.

While in Tobago to commission the project, Acting CEO of TSTT, George Hill, highlighted that “Internationally, broadband access is one of the key factors for gauging national competitiveness, social advancement, innovation and development.” The Acting CEO also noted that high speed broadband internet of such capacity has potential to make Tobago a Mecca for investment in all sectors.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has estimated that by the end of 2014, the global average for broadband penetration in homes will be about 44 percent. According to the Acting CEO, “Trinidad and Tobago is well above global average at 55 percent and blink | bmobile’s Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Fiber to the Home projects have the goal of achieving 95 percent coverage of the country”. This nationwide project will initially see blink | bmobile invest over $15million in bringing fiber optics closer to thousands more homes with the projection of a ten- fold increase over the next three years.

Recognising that Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and broadband connectivity are cornerstones for the sustainable development of Tobago, Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, applauded blink | bmobile for their investment and contribution towards strengthening the island’s technological capabilities. The Deputy Chief Secretary also urged the people of Tobago to remain mindful of the multiple benefits and opportunities in areas such as tourism, education and trade that become available through increased connectivity.

Blink | bmobile currently owns and operates the country’s largest fiber optic network spanning more than 5000 kilometres across Trinidad and Tobago. In recent times telecommunications service providers worldwide have been transitioning from copper wires to fiber optic cables for a variety reasons. Fiber optic technology uses pulses of light to carry data along strands of glass or plastic and as such, it can transfer more data at a higher capacity over a longer distance.

It is common knowledge that technology constantly changes to accommodate the growing needs of consumers and the market. However, given the virtually unlimited capacity of optical fiber, this technology is considered to be “future proof”.

As technology improves and the demand for bandwidth increases, rather than having to upgrade the entire system, service providers can simply change the equipment at the end of the link which makes the overall experience more efficient and economical.