FLOW builds links in south Trinidad during covid19

TELECOMMUNICATIONS company FLOW is playing its part in providing connections between people and communities during the covid19 pandemic.

FLOW Trinidad country manager Kurleigh Prescod underscored this point at the opening of FLOW's new store on the upper level of the Gulf City Mall, La Romaine on Friday morning.

Owing to the challenges caused by the pandemic, Prescod said, "We think it's critical especially because of covid, our customers need to be connected more."

Of covid19 protocols, he said, "We can no longer depend on having to go to an office or go to a store in order to learn or to earn."

He said the new store will strengthen the company's connections with its customers in several communities in South Trinidad. Prescod reported that FLOW expanded its services to over 2,000 homes in South Trinidad last year and this involved an investment of over US$1 million.

He recalled there was a time when customers west of Chatham and Cap-de-Ville complained about not receiving internet service, but said this is no longer the case.

He also explained that FLOW is improving its services for people who include professionals who must work at home and pensioners who depend on reliable internet, phone and cable TV services to keep them preoccupied at home.

"In order for customers to be connected. to maintain their connections, to get additional services, we need to be more accessible to those customers. We think it's absolutely essential that we make this investment."

Prescod also said FLOW is doing what it can to support the thrust of online learning.

He said through those efforts, "We achieved the highest number of broadband subscribers by the end of 2020."

Prescod cited FLOW's provision of broadband support to student support centres in La Brea, donating tablets under the Education Ministry's Adopt-A-School programme.which involved providing 30 tablets to Egypt Village Primary School, Point Fortin. and its Christmas tablet promotion of providing tablets worth US$250 to customers at a cost of $20, as other examples of the company's effort to bridge critical connections during the pandemic.

San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello was happy the new store employs over 30 people.

"I am totally impressed with this facility."

He recalled that FLOW previously had an outlet on Keate Street in San Fernando where parking was a nightmare. In its new location, Regrello said. FLOW is now more accessible to its customers.

He was also pleased about the number of young people who would be able to access the company's services.

"San Fernando is once more leading the charge in terms of technology."