~ Open house Saturday ~
PHILIPSBURG–Post-paid UTS customers were pleasantly surprised to wake up to 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) service availability on Thursday morning. The company celebrated the newest network’s official launch at Holland House Beach Hotel that evening with much fanfare, represented by UTS Eastern Caribbean Division Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Glen Carty.
Customers can visit UTS headquarters on Saturday for an Open House themed specifically after the new network service and can receive all needed additional information.
St. Maarten’s first 4G LTE network connects “everybody to their world” via 20 cell sites throughout the country. Another eight will be added within the first quarter of 2016.
Top UTS officials were joined for the launch by representatives of business partners Amber Connect and Huawei Caribbean, as well as governmental dignitaries, special guests and other well-wishers.
Carty gave a brief overview of technology and market changes over the years and described how faster service would impact daily personal and professional life meaningfully, in the broadest sense of the word. The company will continue to move forward and already is looking at what 5G technology is all about, he told invited guests.
Amber Connect CEO Dushyant Savadia also gave an impressive overview of security products to be launched locally in collaboration with UTS, which centre on the premise that security should be accessible. These should be launched in December.
Carty also announced that police vehicles would be equipped with the new technology and donated a new LTE phone, received on behalf of the Justice Ministry by its Secretary-General Udo Aron.
A presentation was made to former Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor, and representatives of Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP) St. Maarten at UTS Headquarters approximately five months ago regarding the company’s move into 4G LTE technology for enterprise and consumer business in St. Maarten, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Barths.
This is a historic moment for St Maarten, as UTS Eastern Caribbean launches mobile and broadband high speed data for consumers with increased speed and capacity, resulting in “the most modern network on the island with the best quality of service for the end user,” according the company.
LTE has become the fastest-developing mobile communications technology ever. It is commonly marketed as 4G LTE, which is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals.
The LTE network is an investment of approximately US $15 million, ensuring UTS customers growing demand for data, speed and quality for years to come. Carty was very proud to announce that the 4G LTE service would be available for all UTS monthly 3G service in St. Maarten with no additional charge for $35 per month.
The company is also working simultaneously on a number of fronts such as enhancing its 3G service; installing fibre optic for businesses and homes; and enhancing its fixed wireless service via Caribserve.
“UTS started with a 2G network back in 2003, and up to 2011 this worked well. The network outgrew itself based on today’s customer demands. Smart phones today are determining the way forward and telecommunication providers have to adjust to these new trends by making the necessary investments in order to connect you to your world,” said Carty.
“This is what we have been doing after a strategic review of where we are now and where we want to be five years from now. The telecommunications sector is a dynamic sector always changing as new technologies become available.
“Therefore, we have joined with several strategic partners on a number of fronts that would allow us to maximise all opportunities that exist. We are working with Huawei Caribbean who has the technology.”
UTS Eastern Caribbean has signed an agreement with AT&T and other carriers where it concerns 4G LTE roaming, because visitors to the country, stay-over or cruise, as well as investors, want and demand a high speed quality service. This St. Maarten company is the only mobile provider that covers the Eastern Caribbean with seamless connectivity, “because it’s all about connecting you to your world.”
“UTS Eastern Caribbean will also be working with a company called Amber Connect to launch safety and security devices. This will also be a synergy between this company and our award-winning Training and Development Centre (TDC), which is managed by a dedicated and dynamic team of professionals,” Carty said.
“The idea is to train our own St. Maarteners where it concerns the development of applications. TDC will create the opportunity that could be utilised by the private and public sectors to learn to develop technology right here at home.
“UTS’ mission has evolved from an infrastructure-driven company to a technology- and customer-driven company that offers superior connectivity and access to content through innovative solutions. We went through a process of restructuring and preparing for the future of technology.
“We have our own supervisory board, our own budget; the decision-making is done here at home, so we are able to respond faster to trends and developments and make those key decisions that are necessary to benefit our customers and business clients. We are a local company with vested interests in our country.
“UTS Eastern Caribbean is all about connecting you to your world, and with this new evolution we have a very exciting sustainable future ahead for all our customers.”
The UTS Group is one of the Caribbean’s premier integrated and growing providers of proven telecommunication technology. It serves consumers, businesses, governments and other institutions in the Caribbean area, South America and Europe.
Source: The Daily Herald UTS celebrates launch of 4G LTE network via 20 cell sites
View comments
Hide comments