Jamaica’s first mobile technology revolution came when Digicel entered the market and rescued Jamaica from obsolete mobile network technology and ridiculous mobile network rates that the lone mobile provider (Cable and Wireless) provided to the people. Digicel arrived and conquered the hearts of the people but to me over the past year or two has been slowing transforming themselves into an overlord showing many of the signs of the previous overlord. There was always a third player in the market called “Miphone” that launched around the same time as Digicel but wasn’t as well received and lagged way behind in the market. American Movil bought Miphone last year and news about the new network was few and far between until the surprise announcement that the iPhone was to be released officially in Jamaica under the Miphone brand exclusively, there was only one problem…the iPhone was a 3g phone and Miphone operated a CDMA network.
Well today is the day Miphone has been reborn as “Claro”, Jamaica’s 3g network is launched and now a part the fifth largest mobile network in the world. Jamaica joins many other countries in the Americas with American Movil’s Claro mobile brand such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina. Looking forward to owning a “legal”, network supported iPhone in Jamaica complete with full functionality and services and I’ll be a part of the geek army attacking Claro’s local offices next month to welcome Jamaica’s second mobile technology revolution by buying a shiny new iPhone!
The MiPhone deal seemed bizarre, but I guess that makes sense. I’m not in Jamaica anymore, but even having switched from Digicel to C&W, there’s no way I’d switch to someone else for an iPhone. Inter-carrier rates are ridiculous.
I agre with volt….i’m expecting some ridiculously overly expensive packages….of course i could be wrong. Although i’m glad flow came around there presence is becoming a sore….but before passing judgement on Claro i’ll wait to see what they’ve got to offer. As for the iphone -_-‘ well i have a p990…i’ll stick with it for now no matter how lovely the iphone woul look…
@ Claro has been finalizing deals with the existing carriers for reduced rates. When you are a techie like me but have never had a decent phone it’s easy to get excited about the prospects of owning a fully functional network supported smartphone.
@ Shinigami…thanks for visiting, I’ve seen you around for the past couple days :D. I almost know Claro will be better because they will have plans and packages similar to North American carriers.
I too want to see what Claro has to offer on it’s new 3G network. Not sure if I will be buying any new phone nor tie myself to a contract for the free phone. But things should get interesting in the mobile market by December.
i’m not a blogger but a friend of mine recommended i check it out…u’ve done ab awesome job here….keep it up.
i’m just a junior techie ^^ u may have a point….i’ve always wept whenever theres a high end mobile or pda i wanna get my hands on but knew with the services that digicel offered it would be pointless….so claro will hopefully bring hope to the tech community….but(there always is one ;] i don’t most people in JA will conform so easily…coz that means another bill at the end of the mnth :D….
in any case its still an improvement in my eyes…i’ll start prying my phone from my cold but not dead hands just in case^^….
what are all you guys talking about, have you ever used a iphone before. i have, and let me tell you. when u do get ur hands on a iphone, your computer/laptop will be begging you to use it. trust me, i am pretty sure. the technology and user interface cannot be duplicated i have never seen anything like it. i my self i have unlocked and setup on for someone in Jamaica, well i also live ya. and do you understand what claro is giving to Jamaicans -freedom- to be free, what does this mean imagine, security systems being more secure. imaging wiring signals to ur mobile via 3g to ur mobile device in real time if someone breaks into ur car, imagine television on ur mobile similar and better to what miphone was offering big up miphone, imagine video calls like japan, seeing the person while u speak. using fast internet connect to ur laptop via a network card. .. without ridiculous internet charges. come one. well i hope Clara is reasonable. but i think they will, they are the 5 largest carrier in the world. do u know how long i am asking digicel and cable and wireless to offer cheaper rates to call Mexico, they say no, and now i can take up my Clara phone call any network in the world.. and 1 in a 1000 chances the network i call is Clara, and the rates are dust cheap.. because i am making a Clara to Clara call. lets get this straight digicel was helping us out with a little ease from cable and wireless. but comparing to other networks the were robbing us the same way like cable and wireless, ever imagine why they change like 3 CEO’s in such a short space of time, not as in fired change but early retirement change they are making bags of cash off the people of Jamaica, by exploiting us,, and the Jamaican government stands aside and look and collects the TAX. just like flow they are a blessing to Jamaica but why have recognize that there is a exploiting factor in the market , and why not join i since the government endorses it, PEOPLE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CREDIT. U DON’T BUY CREDIT. CREDIT IS SOME THING YOU DON’T HAVE THAT U BORROW. YOU BUY TIME PEOPLE. I HAVE FOR YEARS AMERICANS AND FOREIGNERS ALIKE COME AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, AND ASK WHAT IS CREDIT, WHERE DO WE GET THIS SYSTEM FROM. THEY HAVE A REASON TO SA SO. AND THIS THING WHERE UR CREDIT EXPIRES A WEEK AFTER U BUY IT SO THAT U HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER.. ITS A RIP OFF SCAM. U BUY TIME PEOPLE WHEN IT’S FINISH … ITS JUST FINISH. NEXT COMPANIES THAT SELL MOBILE PHONES THAT DON’T OFFER A PLAN HAS NO AUTHORITY LEGALLY OR MORALLY TO LOCK YOUR HANDSETS AND U CAN DEMAND THAT THEY UNLOCK IT, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.. WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR OUR SELVES IN THIS COUNTRY… LESS ANOTHER BIG COMPANY WILL COME AND RAPES US DRY. I SM NOT A POLITICIAN, OUR DO I VOTE, BUT THIS SYSTEM OF RAPING THE PEOPLE WAS A VERY STRONG SPECIALTY OF THE PNP PARTY,,, THEY STARTED IT AND THEY ACTED UPON THE NOTION. OF SELLING OUT JAMAICA TO FOREIGNERS AND LIVE OFF TAXES OR VAT. LOOK HOW MUCH COMPANIES THEY HAVE SOLD OUT TO FOREIGNERS ,,, WE BASICALLY EAT HAND TO MOUTH IN JAMAICA..TRUST ME, THEY CLOSE DOWN CASH PLUS.. CA– USE IT TO CRASH BY A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER, AND CLAIM THAT THE COMPANY FAILED, AND CRASH, AND PERSONS JUST SIT AND TAKE THAT CRAP. THANK GOD MY MONEY IS NOT IN THERE LESS U WUD READ ABOUT ME ON THE NEWS. NOW THEY ARE CONVINCING PEOPLE NOT TO PULL THERE MONEY FROM BANKS ,,, BECA– USE OF THE CRASH OF THE US ECONOMY.. WELL I WUD NOT ADVISE U PULL UR CASH WE WUD BE IN BIG TROUBLE, BUT WHY WUD THEY TELL U NOT TO DO THIS, … WHY?, THEY HAVE UR MONEY TIED UP IN HIGH RISK INVESTMENT JUST AS CASH PLUS,, AND THE MARKET HAS NO TIME TO TURN OVER THE SUM,AND IF U PULL THE MARKET WILL BE UNSTABLE AND WE WUD BE NO BETTER THAN ETHIOPIA THE POOR SECTIONS,,, BE SMART PEOPLE MAKE SURE THE GOVERNMENT IS IN UR CORNER WHEN BIG GIANTS COME IN WITH SWEET COLOURFULL CANDY. THERE IS SOME SERIOUS THINGS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY .. BE AWARE, MY FRIENDS ARE NOW COMING HOME.. IN HER STATE OF MASSACH– USETTS IN THE UNITED STATES, THEY FROZE THERE PENT ION MONEY THEY CANNOT GET IT TO — USE OUR BORROW FROM IT, THAT’S REALLY BAD SIGNS, THEY ALSO FROZE THERE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS THEY CANNOT MAKE CLAIMS FOR INJURIES OR LIABILITIES, DAM, CRAZY JUST CRAZY. WELL THESES COMPANIES SOME WHAT HELP. BUT THEY CAN DO BETTER, AND IN COMPARISON TO OTHERS THEY ARE SUCKING US UNDER THE TABLE, …. WELL SORRY FOR THE LONG COMMENT GONE PLANT SOME CASAVA, PIECE OUT. SHALOM
xD interesting comment…and ur right but whether its this party or the other its all black and white to me….i don’t vote either….havene found my my(emphasis on my) reason to do so yet. People are in the business to make money…not just in jamaica but everywhere…its just they knw where to go to better exploit people….i hate to say it but sometimes u gotta see things as either getting stepped on or being the one doing the stepping….sounds a bit cruel i know…Claro will be playing our savior but wat makes u think their not opportunist just as digicel and C&W before them….i for one would and may likely work for Digicel at some point….just another stepping stone…a pebble in my way if u will…all i gotta say is 2009…gonna be a difinitive year….gotta play it smart people^^
wow this thats one phat comment!
I agree with some of your points though, but as I said the more choices and competition we have is the better.
thanks for your comment, but i didn’t say Clara will make it better, i think they have a larger network in the Americas so there rates should reflect cheaper rates, if no they are waganist here to rape us dry.
[girl] i love claro [love] [jamaica]
I would love to buy a computer for Malton District, Robin’s Hall P.A. in Manchester J.W.I. My question is , how can I get internet service in that area. Claro Cell Phone works there beautiful in that area. I am awaiting your speedy reply . Thanks.