As the Government of Jamaica continues on its mission to introduce free secured Wi-Fi hotspots in communities across the island, citizens are being encouraged to make the most of the opportunity.

Speaking during the recent launch of the Woodford Wi-Fi hotspot, Juliet Holness, member of parliament for St Andrew East Rural, urged constituents to use the service to transform their lives.

The hotspot programme, which is being undertaken by the Universal Service Fund (USF), aims to bridge the digital gap, particularly for individuals in rural areas who face difficulties in obtaining internet service.

According to Holness, “The Internet can literally transform us as human beings because the world of knowledge is now accessible to us.”

The member of parliament noted however that, as persons utilise the service to either access educational resources or conduct business, they should exercise caution as there are persons using the internet to carry out illegal activities.

“All of your private stuff, everything that you don’t want anybody else to have, put it under a strong password lock,” stressed Holness.

For his part, Daniel Dawes, chief executive officer of the USF, in his address told the residents that they have a duty to ensure that the facility lasts so that it can serve their needs for a long time.

The free Wi-Fi service was warmly received by Woodford community members, with Christine Tapper, teacher at the Woodford Primary School, indicating that the introduction of the hotspot is a demonstration of the commitment by the Government to building excellence in the community through education.