MINISTER with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Daryl Vaz, has commended telecommunications firm Claro’s significant investment in wireless and data networks across Jamaica, within its first year of operation.

“You have, with the use

of your 3G network infrastructure, brought fast, reliable voice and data services to Jamaica, with internet offerings such as video calling,” Vaz noted.

The Minister was addressing Claro’s Corporate Christmas Dinner in New Kingston

last week.

Alluding to the current “atmosphere of change” within the telecommunications sector, the Minister noted that there was evidence of considerable commercial re-organisation among a diverse range of companies seeking

a competitive advantage in

the sector.

“Some, like yourselves, have taken hold of the opportunities presented by this, and are now offering abundant services

to your customers,” he

pointed out.

He added that the pattern of technological change and commercial reorganisation apparent in ICT called for

new regulatory arrangements governing the sectors and their users, and Government was now moving to make the necessary changes.

He urged Claro, and other service providers, to continue with their ‘affordable, modern and cutting edge” technology, as the Government moved

to provide universal telecommunications access and service.

Vaz also commended Claro on the employment of some 278 Jamaicans among its staff complement of 282. He said this was very important and encouraged the company to keep up the ratio.

Claro’s Director for Information Technology, Colin Webster, addressed the firm’s efforts to provide direct employment opportunities for Jamaicans. He said that, in its “typical measured and disciplined fashion”, and commensurate with the growth in business, they would continue to increase employment

each month.

“We recognise that we are among the few people in this difficult economic climate that are still hiring, and this is something of which we are very proud,” Mr Webster stated.

He said that Claro also expected that indirect employment was taking place among its network of dealers, as well as with the many service providers Claro works with.

Claro is claiming that it is now the number 2 mobile service provider in Jamaica and that it saw 85,000 subscribers come onto its network in September. It has vowed to take over market leader Digicel’s position

next year.