Lawrence McNaughton - LIME Managing Director for the Eastern Caribbean

Many LIME St Lucia mobile customers woke up Friday morning to a pleasant surprise. Not breakfast in bed or extra sugar in their coffee, but something just as sweet. Customers in Castries, Vieux Fort and Gros Islet rolled over, yawned, stretched, turned on their BlackBerry devices and data-enabled smartphones and all of a sudden, messages were flying, email downloading, files transferring and pages loading faster than ever.

As part of the company’s G-Volution project, where all 14 LIME territories in the Caribbean are upgrading their mobile networks, LIME St Lucia has added EDGE capacity to cell sites in the areas with heaviest data traffic, with islandwide deployment planned in 2012.

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is a digital mobile technology that allows improved data transmission rates, resulting in a threefold increase in capacity and performance compared with an ordinary GSM/GPRS connection. That means faster downloads, audio and video streaming, and better and more consistent service.

“This is an important stage in our network evolution here in St Lucia,” said Lawrence McNaughton, LIME Managing Director for the Eastern Caribbean. “We are improving our customer service experience, enabling most LIME subscribers to do more with their phones, and do it faster and more consistently, and at the best rates, with the most flexible service plans. And this is not a final product by any means; we are already planning for the next stage in our network evolution.”

On 1 December, LIME increased broadband Internet speeds and reduced the cost of its higher speed Internet packages. The company also increased the number of channels on the LIME TV Basic Pack by 31, offering customers 111 channels of digital-quality sound and picture. This all comes on the heels of the LIME Christmas Gift of a Lifetime promotion, in which over fifty customers will be able to win 40 years of free LIME services. The first winners are scheduled to be announced this weekend.

Chris Williams, Vice-President for Country Operations

LIME Digital TV customers will soon be enjoying an additional 30 channels, and new customers will be getting a minimum of 110 channels when they sign up for the company’s Digital TV Basic Pack.

From 1 December, LIME will add an even wider variety of programming to the Basic Pack; family programming such as BabyFirst TV and The Africa Channel, educational stations such as The Biography Channel, G4 Tech and TRU TV, sports programming from Blackbelt TV, lifestyle channels like E!, Oxygen, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Movie Network, and entertainment from Syfy, Gone Viral TV, RE TV and SPACE.

As a result of these additions, the monthly charge for the Basic Pack will be adjusted by $5, from the current $62.50 to $67.50. Customers who previously subscribed to the Extended Basic Pack will now save $60 per year on subscription fees. The charge for the exciting new lineup will be applied to customers’ bills as of 1st December 2011. Monthly charges for the Movie and Extreme Packs, and for additional set top boxes, will remain unchanged.

“We are confident that the value we provide as we work to improve both the quality and reach of CATV service throughout St. Lucia will make up for the price changes,” said LIME VP Country Operations, Chris Williams. “We offer our customers more than any other cable TV provider in St Lucia, plus the freedom to choose additional packages of their liking. There are nearly 125 channels available, so whether you love movies, sports, history, food, science or cartoons, news, health, LIME Digital TV has something for everyone to love! Our packages also include all of your favourite local radio stations plus premium stereo-quality digital music 24 hours a day from an array of international audio channels featuring Caribbean rhythms, country, soul, rock, jazz and more! In short, we offer our customers the most for their hard-earned money.

“And, of course, customers will continue to get chances to win prizes and receive free activation and installation when they sign up for LIME Digital TV or upgrade their existing package. Delivering an affordable service and a great customer experience are our top priorities.”

(L-R) Upper 6th Form students Shakirah Broomes-Barker and Kadesha Sealy of The Lodge School with LIME Country Manager Alex McDonald and Pearson International VicePresident, Bill Hrabrick

Bridgetown, Barbados: Thousands of students across the region will soon benefit from an educational programme being pioneered by Telecommunications Company, LIME and which combines elements of popular teen culture with educational subjects based on the CSEC® syllabus. This was recently announced at a media briefing at Island Inn Hotel in Barbados.

The pioneering, interactive curriculum, called Learning on LIME (LOL), is customized to correspond to the unique demands of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate® (CSEC) exams and will be distributed through LIME’s leading edge network which includes mobile-media devices, Internet and a suite of television products.

To create LOL, LIME partnered with FableVision Studios, a U.S. – based educational trans-media development studio that creates animations, online games, web sites, mobile apps, software, and enhanced eBooks, and Pearson, the world’s leading learning company.  During the event the team unveiled the pilot of a series called “Infinity Island”, which uses original characters and an original story to teach basic mathematics concepts required by CSEC®.

“One of the best ways to learn is through storytelling.  So why not bring high-tech storytellers to the children of the Caribbean?  It’s an innovative approach to learning that’s absolutely right for these times and necessary for the future. LIME is pleased to be working with a world-renowned team to help build the Caribbean through education.  It’s a great step forward for our future leaders” said LIME CEO, David Shaw.

“Blending technology and storytelling is a powerful way to improve education,” said Gary Goldberger, President of FableVision Studios.  “By adding leading edge mobile devices, LIME is moving learning beyond classroom walls to where learners live and play.”

Pearson Vice President, William Hrabrick said, “Throughout the Caribbean we are seeing an increasing demand for innovative educational tools for teaching and learning beyond printed materials, and also for qualifications and assessments and Pearson is best placed to respond to these needs.”

“The beauty of ‘Learning on LIME’ is that it creates an interactive, online environment where teenagers can easily access materials from their curriculum and, at the same time, interact with each other and the characters on Infinity Island. It makes learning even more enjoyable and exciting and fun!” Hrabrick added.

In endorsing the project the deputy chief education officer in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Mr Erwin Greaves, said “The MEHRD recognises that this cutting edge trans-media technology can have a significant impact on teaching learning process. Infusing technology into the instructional process motivates students and enhances learning. We therefore endorse Learning on LIME and look forward to positive results.”

LOL is the latest initiative by LIME as it deepens its commitment to fostering youth development through the sponsorship of education and social intervention initiatives that aim to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens of the region.

Digital TV customers continue to enjoy 40 extra channels at no extra cost

LIME customers will continue to enjoy 117 channels of high-quality entertainment with the best-available picture and sound for a further month, following full restoration of the company’s Digital TV service over the long weekend. That means that most customers will be getting nearly 40 additional channels at no additional cost.

Chris Williams, LIME Vice-President for Country Operations, announced that the company’s offer of the Extended Basic, Movie and Extreme Packs would remain in place until the end of October. This comes after LIME engineers worked diligently with content provider LORAC to restore normal service on One Caribbean Weather, ABC, CBS and NBC, following a satellite change in September.

“We need to really say thanks to our customers for the patience and understanding they showed as we dealt with the temporary loss of normal service on some of our channels,” said Mr Williams. “Although we were able to put a backup in place for some of those channels, we know that our customers have grown used to certain programming, and we worked hard to get it back.

“We are pleased to report that we are back to 100%,” he continued. “In coming weeks, in fact, we will be announcing a restructured channel lineup that will include a number of new channels even on our Basic Pack. We think our customers, new and existing, will be delighted by what we have in store, as we will be adding new content in preparation for going full digital in a matter of a few months.”

Also in October, there are a number of incentives in place for new and existing Digital TV customers. If you sign up for additional set top boxes, you get two months’ free rental. Customers switching from analog to digital get free activation and installation, plus service discounts. First-time Digital TV subscribers get free installation, free activation, and service discounts.

Only LIME Digital TV customers can enjoy unique, exciting and educational content like The Africa Channel, Arts, BabyFirst TV, Blackbelt TV, CBC Barbados, CBC Canada, Discovery Science, Disney Kids, E!, Lifetime Real Women, MTV Jams, Nickelodeon LA, Oxygen, Sony SPIN and TBS.

LIME MD (Windwards) Lawrence McNaughton

LIME landline is the least expensive way to connect with friends and family

Thanks to the latest announced rate reduction from LIME, the landline telephone service provided by the Caribbean’s premier telecoms company is now the least expensive way to make a phone call, whether to another landline or even to a mobile phone.

Lawrence McNaughton, LIME Managing Director for the Windward Islands, announced the latest rate change, in keeping with the Price Cap agreement covering the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) countries – St Kitts-Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines. “From 1 October 2011, calls from a LIME landline to any local mobile phone will cost just $0.40 per minute, at any time of day or night,” he said.

The rate reduction makes LIME landline the least expensive way to connect with friends and family in St Lucia. “We know our customers will be very excited by this latest development,” said Mr McNaughton. “Since April 2010, we have reduced the price of landline-mobile calls by more than 40%. Our CheapChat service also offers unlimited calling to local LIME landlines for $25 a month, so LIME landline customers are really getting the best value ever.

“At LIME we feel you should be able to call whomever you want, whenever you want without unnecessarily high network charges and we are pricing our calls accordingly,” McNaughton continued. “With LIME, you are getting more value for your telecoms spend.”

Chris Williams, Vice-President for Country Operations

LIME wishes to extend sincere apologies to its Digital TV customers for any inconvenience caused as a result of the temporary loss of signal for four of its channels on 12-13 September.

This interruption in service resulted from technical challenges associated with a mandatory change to the company’s Digital TV system, as they were shifting to new broadcast satellites for 10 of its channels. Six channels were successfully restored by midday Monday. However, the engineers encountered difficulties in restoring the other four – One Caribbean Weather, ABC, CBS and NBC.

“Together with our content providers we worked around the clock to try and rectify the problem, but unfortunately we continued to experience difficulties,” LIME VP Operations Mr Chris Williams explained. “In order to restore the signal for the four missing channels our engineers had to install additional equipment, including a new satellite dish.  Thanks to some long hours and innovativeness by our technology team, the issue was resolved on the evening of Tuesday, (13 September).”

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers in respect of this issue. At LIME, we take pride in ensuring our customer’s satisfaction. Unfortunately, on this occasion

we did not meet their – or our own – expectations,” said Mr Williams.

“As a testament to our striving for perfection, we have taken steps to put a backup system in place in the event of such unforeseen circumstances as those which transpired this week.

“We have also decided to give all of our customers access to the full channel lineup, comprising the Extended Basic, Movie and Extreme Packs, for the month of September, as a token of

our thanks for their patience and understanding. We trust they will enjoy having access to 117 channels of high-quality entertainment at no additional cost.

“We deeply value our relationship with our customers and we are committed to providing them with the highest level of service simply because they deserve the very best.

To restore the full channel line-up, customers need to perform a Factory Default and scan their Digital TV set top boxes using start frequency 435000 and end frequency 705000.

The 2011 edition of LIME Internet Summer School ended this week at two locations

Scores of primary school students from around St Lucia had the opportunity to develop their computer skills at the 2011 edition of LIME Internet Summer School.

The annual Internet Summer School programme returned this year for the first time since 2007. Since that time, LIME has embarked on a project with the Government of St Lucia and Taiwanese Embassy to provide computer labs and free Internet access for every primary school in St Lucia. LIME also recently launched a new campaign aimed at enabling more St Lucians to get online by buying a low-cost personal computer.

The goal of Internet Summer School is to give children, especially those living in rural communities, the opportunity to get basic computer and Internet browsing classes free of charge. Over the years hundreds of children have benefitted from the programme.

This year classes were held at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School and the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Campus B from August 8-31. Two classes were held each day comprising of two groups of children 9-12 years old. Each group consisted of 20 students participating in the programme for one week under the guidance of a tutor and assistant. They were provided with meals and refreshments.

LIME Regional Product Manager for Broadband, Chandra Pierre said: “Our focus is to get the children started on the computer at an early age, so that they can position themselves to take

Chandra Pierre, LIME REgional Product Manager for Broadband

advantage of the vast knowledge base of educational information that is available on the Internet and, in doing so, derive tremendous benefits. LIME is committed to working with the schools to ensure that St Lucia’s children are not left behind, and that they have access to the tools they need to succeed in life.”

Recent survey findings from the UWI’s Mona School of Business indicate that more people would be online if the access devices – such as computers – were more affordable. LIME, the region’s leading broadband service provider is seeking to address this problem and is offering all new subscribers of any of its broadband packages a chance to get their own FLIPtop laptop.

Dubbed the most affordable laptop ever, this lightweight widescreen device is available at LIME.

Lawrence McNaughton - LIME St. Lucia General Manager

“Internet access has become a normal part of everyday life and every home in St Lucia should have access to internet service. Affordability of the access device is part of the challenge St Lucians face in getting online at home, but our new offer helps remove that barrier and gives more people a chance to get on the Internet,” explained Managing Director Lawrence McNaughton.

McNaughton also pointed out that his company is especially pleased that the FLIPtop offer is available in time for back-to-school preparations, providing parents with affordable learning technology for their children.

“Every child in school in 2011, irrespective of background, should have internet access – especially if we want to help them reach their full potential. But the truth is, many parents can’t afford it. That is why we feel this offer will go a long way in making education more affordable. Getting internet service and this FLIPtop offer gives students access to unlimited educational resources to help with their overall academic performance, and parents will see the benefit,” he said.

This point is underscored by online reports from Gatlin International – an e-learning institute which serves 50 countries – which cited studies showing a connection between improved academic performance and internet access. The studies, which were conducted in the US and the UK, revealed that students with access to internet performed better than those without.

McNaughton also pointed to reports that show a direct correlation between high internet penetration and GDP growth.

“Noted economists have reported positive correlation between Internet penetration and GDP growth and that is the bigger picture we have in mind. Providing access to the internet, in the way that we are proposing, is also about creating a knowledge-based, information- and technology-oriented workforce that will in turn lead to increased economic growth for St Lucia. For LIME, internet access means using technology to enable a better way of life for people.”

New customers who sign up for any Internet package from LIME, can buy the new ultra-thin WiFi-enabled FLIPtop complete with webcam. The benefits include staying in touch with friends and family online through forums such as Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, accessing educational websites, getting fast downloads of music and movie files from registered sites such as iTunes, online gaming, online radio and YouTube among several other uses.

Minister Montoute with LIME Executive Kayle Cassius GM Lawrence Mc Naughton and Regional Head of Managed Services Ian Galt

The Ministry of the Public Service, working in collaboration with LIME, will soon integrate Information, Communication Technology (ICT), into all aspects of its operations in an attempt to increase efficiency and service delivery to the public.

At a recently held roundtable attended by Minister of Public Service & Human Resource Development, Lenard Montoute, along with permanent secretaries and other key government personnel, and representatives of LIME, Mr Montoute outlined his ministry’s vision for the enhancement of communications between government ministries, departments and sub-agencies, as well as between government and the public. He said the government plans to use its National ICT policy and Sectoral Strategy to gain a strategic competitive advantage in the global knowledge-based economy. It’s also designed to empower the people of St Lucia by increasing access to Information and Communication Technologies and harnessing it for development, including providing better employment opportunities, better health services, and enhancing business practices and productivity.

LIME Account Manager for the Government Sector, Ms Kayle Cassius delivered a presentation during the meeting explaining how the Caribbean’s leading communications company and only full service provider would use its state-of-the-art network as the backbone to provide the connected ICT platform that would help the government enhance its communications systems. It will also facilitate better integration and collaboration among government agencies and allow it to benefit from economies of scale, she added.

Ms Cassius said LIME is well poised to deliver the performance, sophistication and service levels required to help the government achieve the objectives of the National ICT Strategy.

“Our business services have evolved rapidly whereby St Lucia benefits from the latest in First-World technology in terms of VOIP, IP PBX systems, MPLS, high-speed DIA services, and managed IT services. Thanks to our continued heavy network investment, LIME is able to work in partnership with the government of St Lucia by providing the end-to-end solutions required to help it improve the efficiency of its communications systems, as well as reduce its telecom spend and enhance the experience of users and citizens,” said Ms Cassius.

The enabling legislation to facilitate the development of the National ICT policy was recently approved by Parliament.