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“Finally, we will bring you 4G (fourth generation mobile telecoms technology). I know that you have waited a long time and I am happy as you to say that we have received approval from the government”

Chief Executive Officer of GTT, Justin Nedd, announced in a statement on Friday April 29th 2016

Looks like Bahamas got beaten out by Guyana in the 4G LTE race!

This as mobile carriers GTT and Digicel are both planning to launch 4G LTE in Guyana, starting in the capital city of Georgetown. Coincidentally, the spectrum for 4G LTE was allocated in April 2016, one month before many Guyanese are expected to come back to their homeland to celebrate the Nation’s 50th Independence anniversary on Thursday May 26th 2016.

Geezam - Digicel and GTT 80 Mbps 4G LTE in Guyana hints at Independence Day Launch in Jamaica - 05-03-2016 LHDEER (2)

Naturally, expect many of these Guyanese returnees and tourists to be able to stream and/or upload audio, video and images. Simply put, GTT and Digicel customers will enjoy faster speeds, which will spread gradually across the island.

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes has also announced that their government is partnering with the two (2) telecom Providers to establish Wi-Fi hotspots so that Guyanese can share in the Jubilee celebrations. Additionally other conditions will be imposed on GTT and Digicel pending the National Assembly’s and presidential assent of long-awaited Telecommunication legislation

Geezam - Digicel and GTT 80 Mbps 4G LTE in Guyana hints at Independence Day Launch in Jamaica - 05-03-2016 LHDEER (1)

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes seems to have more praises for GTT as they seem to be leading the charge towards 4G LTE, quote:  “We are happy to announce that in close cooperation with GTT we are able to provide high speed broadband services. This is the way for our country and it underlines that GTT is ready to Do More for Guyana and for their customers”.

So who will be able to access this faster 4G LTE service?

Guyana to go 4G LTE thanks to GTT and Digicel – Local Competition forcing Digicel’s hand

Initially it’ll be people in Georgetown, but given the competitive nature of the telecoms market in Guyana, expect this to rapidly spread thought the entire country in a matter of weeks.

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Already Digicel is indicating readiness to go live at any moment to quote Digicel’s Regional Executive Officer for  Gregory Dean: “We expect both networks to receive authorization and we would be ready to offer 4G services”.

Geezam - Digicel and GTT 80 Mbps 4G LTE in Guyana hints at Independence Day Launch in Jamaica - 05-03-2016 LHDEER (2)

Already, CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd is selling his as-yet-to-be-launched 4G Network to be as fast as a jaguar when it comes to watching watch videos or movies, quote: “Our 4G mobile network will enable you to connect to the internet much faster than ever before whether to browse, watch videos or movies, download music or shop online. All Smart phones sold by GTT are ready to experience the faster speeds”.

So this means the same types of phones as planned by CellOne in Bermuda to be compatible with 4G LTE service in Guyana:

  • Apple iPhone 5s 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 128GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 16GB
  • Apple iPhone 6+ 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6s 64GB
  • Apple iPhone 6s+ 64GB
  • BlackBerry Classic Q20
  • BlackBerry Leap
  • BlackBerry Passport
  • BlackBerry Priv
  • BLU Dash L
  • BLU Dash M
  • BLU Life XL
  • BLU Studio C 5+5
  • BLU Studio Energy 2
  • Google Nexus 5x
  • Motorola G 3rd Gen.
  • PLUM Gator Plus 2
  • Plum Might LTE
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  • Samsung Galaxy S5 neo
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 64GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge + 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 64gb
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 32GB

Check Settings then Mobile Networks in your smartphone to see if it has a 4G LTE option. LTE SIM Card will be specially marked to indicate that they are able to be authenticated on their new Network.

No details were given as to the state of their build-out but based on their comments expect speeds in the 80 Mbps range and customers having to change out their SIM Cards to 4G LTE ready SIM. Most likely you’ll be able to use the same type of phones as in the case of Bermuda, with CellOne and Digicel leading the charge as noted in How Digicel’s and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica.

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Geezam - How Digicel's and CellOne LTE in Bermuda means 75 Mbps speeds coming to Jamaica - 09-04-2016 LHDEER (1)

According to the SAT (Spectrum Allocation Table) below, no spectrum has been provisioned for LTE, but most likely it’ll be the 700 MHz bands with the 2100 MHz and the 1900 MHz being used for AWS (Advanced Wireless Services).

They may even reuse any White Space Frequencies that are available between the NTSC standard Television signals, allowing them to blanket more of the country side as currently being tested in Jamaica by Microsoft at Park Hall Primary and Infant School in Trout Hall, Clarendon.

Clearly, it’s the local ad former government owned Telecom Providers that are doing the competing and not FLOW.

FLOW yet to announce 4G LTE – FLOW is MIA as Digicel launching Jamaica’s Independence Day

This brings the big question to everyone’s; where is FLOW with their 4G LTE announcement in Bermuda or Guyana?

Geezam - Digicel and GTT 80 Mbps 4G LTE in Guyana hints at Independence Day Launch in Jamaica - 05-03-2016 LHDEER (1)

Also, since Guyana’s 4G LTE might be coming on Thursday May 26th 2016, to coincide with their 50th Anniversary, does that means Digicel will be launching 4G LTE on ITU (International Telecommunications Union) World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Tuesday May 17th 2016 in Jamaica as predicted in my whimsical prediction article Digicel and CANTO’s 10th Annual WTISD 2016 Video Competition heralds 4G LTE?

Or will it be on Saturday August 6th 2016 to coincide with Jamaica’s Independence Day, especially now that the thirteenth season of Digicel Rising Star 2016 has started with auditions having begun on Sunday May 1st 2015?

Thoughts to ponder as Digicel and their competition ramps up to launch their 4G LTE Networks in these Caribbean territories.

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One response to “Digicel and GTT 80 Mbps 4G LTE in Guyana hints at August 2016 Launch in Jamaica”

  1. Just to note, FLOW does not operate in neither Guyana or Bermuda. Another thing is that the owners of GTT also owned Cellcom in Bermuda at one point.