The latest fiber-optic submarine cable technology in the Caribbean, which is intended to link the OECS countries, was introduced to Grenada on Wednesday. The link will start from the north in Puerto Rico, moving down to Trinidad in the south. In recent times there has been only one such cable in the OECS, controlled by Cable and Wireless. The fiber-optic cable will make available all services currently provided by the telecommunications giant Cable and Wireless, including internet and land line telephone connections. Speaking on the benefits of this new technology, Energy Minister Gregory Bowen said it will bring efficiency and economic benefits to entrepreneurs in Grenada and the rest of the OECS. “Now as this backbone lands on the island here, we must realise now how do we get broadband capacity to our schools, hospitals and government. The idea is to become an ICT country where citizens can stay at home and access their services,’ he said. The fiber-optic cable was brought to the islands in the OECS with the help of the regional council of Guadeloupe and financial support from the European Union. According to the Energy Minister, the facility will also assist Grenada as it prepares to be the headquarters of the CKLN. “This facility will allow government to provide the Egovernance, the telecommunications backbone required for the CKLN, telemedicine and broadband among others.” The minister said his government sees this as one of the greatest investments that have come to Grenada. The new cable will be controlled by Grenada Cablevision. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com