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‘Next gold mine’ for VI economy will depend on effective internet - Premier Fahie

- said more negotiations on the way with local telecom companies
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has pointed to the internet as the next new frontier for the territory’s economic growth and this he says has warranted the need for e-government and business legislations. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Andrew A. Fahie said for the people of the VI to be on the cutting edge of technology regarding the future of the internet, more negotiations would be on the way with local telecom companies regarding the improvement of internet services. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Andrew A. Fahie said for the people of the VI to be on the cutting edge of technology regarding the future of the internet, more negotiations would be on the way with local telecom companies regarding the improvement of internet services. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has pointed to the internet as the next new frontier for the territory’s economic growth and this he says has warranted the need for electronic legislations.

“The next gold mine for us with the economy and improvements to [the] economy and other revenue streams that will come to our territory, most of them will significantly depend on the very effective internet system,” Hon Fahie said.

The Premier was at the time speaking during the debate of the Electronic Filing Act, 2019 at the Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola on March 9, 2021.

More negotiations with ISPs to come – Premier Fahie

He said for the people of the VI to be on the cutting edge of technology regarding the future of the internet, more negotiations would be on the way with local telecom companies regarding the improvement of internet services.

The Leader of Government Business said e-business legislation will make sure that laws are in place that allows business transactions to be done online from the VI and also the protection of data for consumers.

He added that the passing of bills like the Electronic Transfer of Funds Act, 2021 is not being done in isolation but will see the government tying the bills into many new revenue-generating areas for the territory to enhance already existing revenue streams.

Premier Fahie said the legislation will also allow for the business of government to continue and business to be transacted and conducted online amid economic disasters like a pandemic or other natural disasters.

30 Responses to “‘Next gold mine’ for VI economy will depend on effective internet - Premier Fahie”

  • I hear you (10/03/2021, 05:48) Like (36) Dislike (1) Reply
    FLOW | CCT & Digicel are over charging people. The price all charge for a service they’re rarely providing is crazy! Do a community survey and you’ll understand how crazy it is!!
    • frustrated (10/03/2021, 08:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      One of them company there I can say has terrible customer service ,an signing up for same type internet an package they giving every body a different cost,well well
  • Really? (10/03/2021, 06:28) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    The internet? A new frontier? Oh my god it’s been around for a while, are you living in the dark ages? You have to read this article and laugh when you mention cutting edge. The BVI is not, and never will be “cutting edge”.

    The government will implement e-commerce legislation, just 20 years after everyone else!
    • Hmm (10/03/2021, 08:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @really / it’s been around awhile; yet not fully taken advantage of. For you it’s just about posting on snaps & Tiktok but the internet can do more than just that. Internet for value is what we need. More people into coding is next
    • Reply (10/03/2021, 09:28) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
      Very good points Premier you on the right track down with the oppressors
    • Miner (10/03/2021, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      What was the last Gordon mine?
  • Behind the times (10/03/2021, 06:30) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    We missed one being covid free, could have advertised for persons who can work remotely to do so here in our covid free islands. This would have keep the economy going. But slackness will cost you opportunities. Get the net fixed asap and work on proper service from the hospital.
  • akon (10/03/2021, 06:31) Like (20) Dislike (16) Reply
    The USVI getting most of the bvi business right now and you here talking piss and have us under curfew following Bill Gates and Fouci who thinks the earth needs depopulating.y'all sell out black politicians acting as if y'all don't have a brain. Dotish y'all dotish
    • tretretrete (10/03/2021, 08:35) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      @akon - the USVI is getting more people at the moment; that doesn’t make it safe. Why can’t we just be ourselves? Why we have to follow everyone else? Then again if you’ll want USVI life style- it have airplanes going everyday “bye Felaica “
    • @ Akon (10/03/2021, 08:50) Like (1) Dislike (22) Reply
      This is such a big lie the bvi holding its own thank God for the VIP government
  • The watchdog (10/03/2021, 07:35) Like (27) Dislike (11) Reply
    I agree with the premier
  • Gold Mine (10/03/2021, 08:17) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    Watch out, 5G is part of the plan. (DANGER)
  • lol (10/03/2021, 08:20) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ..here he comes agin with a different approach. Sadly the results are always the same.... A sh** load of cash for what I consider to be some of the worst internet service in the world. The day this problem is actually rectified ...that is the day I say "pigs will fly."
    • Yep (10/03/2021, 11:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Along with running clean water,reliable mail,smoke free incinerator,recycling,paying bills onlinr.
      Imagine trekking monthly from Western end of Tortola to the Eastern end by foot premium cost taxi used also to transport illicit drugs,taking your life in hand to pay a Monthly waterless waterbill averaging $15.00 if the system is functioning .
      No satellite service on anything.
  • musa (10/03/2021, 08:36) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    YES SIR THIS IS THE BEST NEWS FOR THE YRS
  • The watchdog (10/03/2021, 08:51) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    I have faith in this Government keeping at it Fahie we with you don’t mind the haters
  • Rubber Duck (10/03/2021, 09:10) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is good news. Starlink , the internet service using satellites from SpaceX will be available in BVI at the end of this year. Speeds are expected to be 150 mbps ( current speeds from the BVI suppliers are way lower, around 1-3 in some cases. ) Monthly cost is expected to be $80 plus there is a cost for the satellite antenna etc expected to be $250-400. Search Starlink, on the web and you can sign up for an early installation.
    • @RubberDuck (10/03/2021, 13:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I've been looking for satellite internet for some time now; thanks for the advice!
  • ... (10/03/2021, 09:28) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with foy but he must first improve the internet services
    • Where is the Action in your talk? (10/03/2021, 14:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      TRC can' t even control the telecom companies andrew think he can not even the banks he can control hog wash statement . Action speaks louder than words!!
  • west (10/03/2021, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What else Andrew?
  • fdgdfgdgdfg (10/03/2021, 10:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  • Meahlaff (10/03/2021, 10:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The first thing you need to do is to get rid of those employees at the TRC that been there for donkey years and have not grown with the times. It need new blood in the TRC, new leaders with good forward thinking skills but everything is politics and that is what going to see the BVI left behind of others. Business owners like myself just have to laugh because years and years complaining has not changed a thing.
  • Informed (10/03/2021, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This keeps getting talked about but nothing resolved. I can not even access my republic bank account. I can hot spot from my phone through a different provider and get access.
    Once the upgrade to the new Fibre optic cable was completed they never reinstalled the land line as its $12,000 cost to do this so they just cut me off.
    This is a long road ahead. I wish Mr Fahie the best on this one.
  • Poppyshow (10/03/2021, 11:51) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    Every day spouting a bunch of hot air announcing a new dis and dat looking busy going around in circles and nothing concrete. Just making people dizzy. Sit ah dem games.
  • Ifyopleez (10/03/2021, 13:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew,get these 100 year old problems solved installed and completed,then tell us whatyoudid.
    All this braybray and regurgitating promises as has been done about the same issues lessens and casts doubts on your credibiliyu. Show and tell if yopleex..
    • Agree 100%.. (10/03/2021, 15:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      How would this happened,. Is it possible,. Is it realistic, What's the plan to make this a reality,,
  • 5 (10/03/2021, 23:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    5G ?
  • tax and spend (11/03/2021, 07:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    internet the fifth pillar of the economy!

    pile on a windfall tax on Digicel, Lime. Leave CCT out of it though.


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