This is a follow on from our earlier posts on Barbados’ intention to have free Wi-Fi across the entire island by 11-11-11. We examine the progress to date.
In November 2010, the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation (BEF) promised to realise 100% island-wide Wi-Fi coverage – from bus stop to rum shop – by 11 November 2011. Implementation relied on the local businesses with Internet connectivity to configure their internal networks to include guest networks allowing free wireless Internet access.
It is now a year since the BEF’s initial announcement. “How has the project (dubbed 11.11.11 ON) fared?” We have been tracking this project since its announcement in mainstream newspapers earlier this year, so we will be answering that question, and providing some insight into its impact.
Has 100% Wi-Fi coverage been achieved?
The short answer is no. Based on the data supplied by the BEF, around 25% geographic coverage has been realised. However, based on the distribution of the population in Barbados, where over two-thirds of its residents live in the west and southern parts of the island, Wi-Fi covers well over 50% of the population (Figure 1). Additionally, the areas of heavy commercial activity, which again are in west and south, including the capital, Bridgetown, are the ones with a heavy concentration of Wi-Fi hotspots. It therefore means that persons on the go in those areas will likelyto be able to maintain near continuous Internet connectivity
Figure 1: Distribution of free Wi-Fi Hotspots in Barbados as at 11 November 2011 (Source BEF)
Although there are those who might be dissatisfied by the progress made to date in Wi-Fi roll out, it is important to note that this project, although announced a year ago, only began implementation in earnest almost five months later. During that time, a variety of strategies were being explored, most of which were eventually abandoned. Further, as with many new programmes, initially, there was some hesitation to participate, until a few well-regarded businesses became involved and could attest on the experience.
Have any benefits been realised?
In Barbados, reports are – thanks to this Wi-Fi initiative – that the business community is becoming more energised, and are beginning to appreciate the impact of providing this service. The IT/tech community has also been quite supportive, and is beginning to see new opportunities resulting from the project. Additionally, persons in the hospitality industry have indicated that the availability of free Wi-Fi is highly welcomed by their guests, which not only improves their overall experience and general level of contentment, but has also enhanced country’s tourism product.
However, across the wider business community, there is no noticeable change in how this new level of connectivity is used for marketing and promotion. One possible reason for this might just be the general novelty of free public Internet access, where everyone is just thrilled to have the service, but have not yet fully appreciated the fact that it is a tool to be harnessed. As discussed in our post, 6 ways your business can benefit from offering free Wi-Fi, there are a number of benefits to be derived from offering free Wi-Fi, including
- better client relations
- increased competitive advantage,
- additional avenues for marketing, and
- better customer loyalty
Concluding remarks
Barbados is one of the few countries worldwide that has actively set the goal of achieving 100% free countrywide coverage. In our first post on the project, we note that this goal, while ambitious in less than 12 months, was an admirable undertaking. As participation in free Wi-Fi roll out continues to grow, it will undoubtedly open up a number of opportunities for the country, and ultimately increase its international competitiveness.
Yet one of the much-lamented deficiencies of Barbados’s Internet broadband network is its limited bandwidth. Congestion is high, and connection speeds are not particularly fast – the highest download speed available to domestic customers is 8Mbps (see our May 2011 Snapshot for more details). This is an issue that should be urgently addressed, particularly with regard to international capacity, in order to improve the quality of service available on island.
However, a noticeable consequences of the Wi-Fi project, has been an increased awareness of Internet connectivity issues among the general population, which might be the much needed impetus, to both the political directorate and local Internet providers to address bandwidth deficiencies. Nevertheless, according to Corey Graham 2.0, entrepreneur and social media/ digital marketer, but more importantly, a team member on the 11.11.11 ON / Wi-Fi Project, the initiative is indeed moving Barbados in the right direction:
The project has started meaningful conversation with several stakeholders about the importance of connectivity and ultimately technology. It has been powerful to see Bajans moving from just complaining about poor connectivity, to becoming active volunteers and stakeholders in crafting the destiny of Barbados…. as firm craftsmen of their fate.
In a world where so much emphasis is being placed on social media and collaboration. The power of this kind of people movement is critical to making Barbados competitive in the global context. Overall this project has made big steps to changing the perception of Barbados as a place to do business.
The people of Barbados are eliminating the digital divide and moving Barbados forward…. 11.11.11 ON and beyond.
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Note: ICT Pulse would like to recognise the hard work and dedication of the 11.11.11 ON / Wi-Fi Project team members for the progress that has been made to date: Melanie Jones (Team Champion), Peter Boos, Jeremy Jones, Chris Harper, Shannon Clarke, Neil Clegg, Damian McKinney, John Howard, Chris Hoyos, Corey Graham 2.0. Congratulations!!
We have been vacationing in Barbados for 24 years-I was pleased to read WI FI would be available Countrywide by 11/11/11.
We will be at Divi Southwinds foe 3 weeks beginning Dec 3rd-I called Southwinds-they advised WI FI would be available, however for a price of $120 US for our 3 week stay. Sounds very expensive. Do you have a less expensive solution-we are not renting an automobile.
Thank you
Hi George,
Not everyone is participating in the Free WiFi initiative yet. There are some other hotels which are fully wifi-ed and lots of cafes on the south coast you can visit.
check out http://www.wifispottr.com to see these spots.
Thanks Corey for providing this insight.
I remain convinced that broadband access to the home should be a priority while free WiFi has its benefits and should be one of a core of objectives. What I am not sure about is the claim that 60 per cent of Barbados has access to free Wifi as a result of the initiative by Babados Entrepreneurship Foundation. Cmon 60 per cent, using what criteria? Pull out your IPad and drive east of six roads and see what a very long way we have to go. Swing through East Point, Marley Vale, Thickets, head up to St. John, St Andrew, Greenidges in St. Lucy. If one country in the world is smart enough to legislate that access to the Internet is a human right, can Babados be the second and get serious about understanding what implementing universal broadband access is all about?
Hallam
Hi Hallam,
Great point. I agree that bandwidth is a major issue and needs to be dealt with urgently. In an ideal world it would be done first. However, one of the issues with technology is always implementation of the latest greatest technology. It always takes a while for persons involved to grasp the value of the new technology and make the necessary changes to get it implemented.
I think one of the key things we found with the wifi is that it was something that the regular person to get up and get moving on. Initially we had hoped for alot of enthusiasm and action from the Telecoms and the government, however it was apparent that this was not going to come in time for our deadline.
The harsh reality we found is that people don’t just get up an change and evolve. The concept of having persons share their wifi with the public became a blessing is disguise because it meant that the pioneers and early adopters now had the power to change their reality. It also changed the conversation about connectivity in the country. The public has now become more vocal about connectivity in general and they are starting to demand a certain level of service in this country, and it is now moving onto the agenda of various stakeholders.
Having the people being a part of the conversation is absolutely critical to the change we want to see in Barbados, based on the current situation. Based on where I sit, I seems as though persons in Barbados from every walk of life are considering and thinking about how to improve connectivity in Barbados.
Personally I have faith that the people who have been risen up through this project will solve the bandwidth to the home and other problems. The key is taking action!