Fibre optics has revolutionized long-distance phone calls, cable and satellite TV and the internet by transmitting data over longer distances and at higher transfer rates than traditional copper wire cables. In the Cayman Islands, older technology is being replaced with modern fibre optic cabling and new installations are completed daily, increasing speed and reliability and bringing high-speed internet connections to all parts of the three-island territory.
Two submarine cables currently serve the Cayman Islands, one cable directly connecting to Jamaica from Grand Cayman (via Cayman Brac), the other cable to Florida, allowing the Cayman Islands to connect to the international communications infrastructure.
Since the breakup of the local telecommunications monopoly early in the 21st century, four service providers have been licensed to provide broadband internet access in the Cayman Islands. Infrastructure development has been slower than expected partly due to disagreement over government policy towards the physical installation of high-speed fibre optics in the Cayman Islands and who pays for it. Broadband services are still not available to 100% of the population four years after a government-mandated deadline for completion.
Cayman internet service providers including Logic offers broadband internet service via wireless, fixed-line and fibre optic connections that are undergoing constant expansion. Bandwidth can be as low as 512Kbps in some areas, and up to 300 Mbps in better-connected areas.
Fibre optic installation is an on-going project in Cayman internet services, and the extent of the network is constantly changing. Each provider has strength and weakness in different coverage areas and shopping around is the only way to find out which provider of high-speed internet is the best choice for your location. By late 2019 Logic’s fibre optic network covered West Bay, Seven Mile Beach area, George Town, South Sound, Prospect, Savannah and Bodden Town. Logic offers 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 Mbps plans where fibre optic is available.
The Cayman Islands is one of the most expensive places in the world when it comes to internet service, although providers have a number of bundles (depending on location) that include home internet, landline, mobile and cable tv in packages that offer some value for money. When choosing a service provider for the internet in the Cayman Islands, shopping around is the only way to make sure you choose the one that offers the best coverage and pricing in your area that meets your requirements.
