THE Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) will be taking a hard line against the theft of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and mobile devices as part of efforts towards making Jamaica a digitally connected society.

The Daryl Vaz-led ministry has initiated collaboration with Jamaica’s two major telecommunications providers to implement joint solutions to the ongoing theft of ICT infrastructure and cellphones.

Vaz, who is adamant that the issue needs to be urgently addressed, noted, “I have begun conversations with the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Justice to advocate for increased penalties under the Larceny and Malicious Destruction of Property Acts. The ministry is also advocating for increased penalties, to the maximum amount possible, for damage to infrastructure under the Telecommunications Act.”

Following a meeting with the two main telecommunications providers last Wednesday to explore joint solutions, MSET said it will be working assiduously to establish a policy and legislative framework to deal with individuals who continue to put a strain on the resources of telecoms providers and law-abiding citizens. Digicel and Flow have also indicated that they will take technical measures to ensure that stolen phones are shut down and are non-functional.

The ministry’s ongoing contributions to Jamaica’s development goals include ensuring that the country has a framework to enable all citizens to connect digitally. This work, according to Vaz, is critical in a world where connectivity is increasingly essential for academic and professional success. MSET’s work in this regard includes guiding legislation, providing industry oversight, and cultivating valued private sector industry partnerships.

It has been noted that restoring vandalised equipment costs the telecoms providers millions of US dollars annually, which they have argued could have otherwise been used to expand services to rural areas and other capital investments.

“MSET stands ready to partner with Flow and Digicel to find additional practical solutions. The ministry will increase the public education of our citizens to teach Jamaicans about the short- and long-term ramifications of ICT infrastructure theft, and continue to contribute to more robust policies that allow for harsher penalties,” Vaz said.