In the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, which left vast swathes of Jamaica in darkness and cut off from the outside world, a technology firm from the Cayman Islands has stepped in to bridge critical communication gaps. Unified Tech, based in George Town, has delivered essential satellite communication equipment to aid reconnection efforts in rural areas and support vital services.
Devastation and the Urgent Need for Connectivity
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica, inflicting widespread destruction on the island’s infrastructure. Reports indicate that up to 77% of the island lost power, crippling terrestrial telecommunications networks and leaving many communities isolated. Major service providers like Flow and Digicel experienced severe damage, with mobile connectivity dropping dramatically. This communication blackout hindered not only the ability of residents to contact worried friends and family but also complicated crucial aid and recovery operations. The storm’s impact was so severe that the Jamaican government estimated total economic damage between $6 billion and $7 billion, a significant portion of the nation’s GDP.
Unified Tech’s Response: A Direct Link to the World
Unified Tech, through its representatives Rob Eyers and Annando Salmon, personally delivered seven Starlink satellite communication dishes and accompanying rechargeable battery arrays to Jamaica. Eyers and Salmon, who are also members of the Cayman Islands Regiment, leveraged their training to assess the on-the-ground situation. Their initiative directly addresses the immediate need for communication, particularly in areas that remained completely off-grid. Two of the Starlink systems have been deployed in rural communities, Albert Town in Trelawny Parish and Grange Hill in Westmoreland Parish, to re-establish vital connections.
Beyond providing the hardware, Unified Tech has committed to covering the internet connection fees for these systems for several months, ensuring sustained access as the nation recovers. This act of corporate social responsibility underscores the crucial role of private sector technology providers in disaster relief scenarios across the Caribbean.
Broader Technological Support and Collaboration
Unified Tech’s efforts are part of a wider, multi-faceted response involving various entities. Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC), also from the Cayman Islands, dispatched a team of 11 employees, including powerline technicians, to assist Jamaica Public Service (JPS) in restoring the electricity supply, a fundamental step for any recovery. This collaboration highlights the spirit of mutual aid within the Caribbean region during times of crisis.
Furthermore, Starlink itself, operated by SpaceX, has been instrumental. The company offered free internet service through the end of November 2025 for affected homes, emergency services, and businesses in Jamaica and The Bahamas. This provided a critical lifeline when traditional networks failed. Starlink also activated its Direct-to-Cell service in Jamaica through a partnership with Liberty Caribbean, allowing standard LTE smartphones to send and receive messages and data, even without cell towers. The U.S. State Department also deployed Starlink technology for its personnel to maintain essential communications.
Other international organizations, such as Eutelsat and Neptune Communications, also donated satellite communication services, while Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) worked to restore emergency communications for affected communities and humanitarian teams.
Empowering Education and Aid Efforts
The donated Starlink equipment is not solely for personal communication. The Heart Trust/National Service Training Agency (NSTA) Trust, a key vocational training program in Jamaica, received Starlink systems to help students resume their studies, underscoring the impact of technology on educational continuity post-disaster. Additionally, a medical supplies company, a client of Unified Tech, received equipment to facilitate the transport of essential goods to the most needed areas, demonstrating how reliable connectivity can aid logistical and humanitarian efforts.
The Jamaican government, through the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT), proactively issued guidance for the safe and secure deployment of Starlink systems, emphasizing physical safety, power protection, and cybersecurity best practices. This news serves as a timely reminder of the evolving landscape of disaster preparedness, where advanced technology plays an increasingly vital role in the resilience and recovery of nations in the Caribbean and beyond.
Conclusion: Building a More Resilient Future
The intervention by Unified Tech, complemented by the widespread deployment of Starlink and collaborative restoration efforts, showcases the critical intersection of technology, community support, and disaster resilience. As the Caribbean region continues to face the growing threat of extreme weather events, such initiatives demonstrate the power of rapid technological deployment and inter-island cooperation in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the essential fabric of society.