Minister responsible of telecommunications, Mr. Ted Richardson will be using the latest in internet technology when he "Skypes" into the opening ceremony of an internet awareness seminar that gets under way at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino today.
The Minister could not be present for the opening of the two-day seminar, but he insisted on using the technology of the day to welcome participants – even though he will be in Germany at the time.
The two-day seminar brings together many movers and the shakers in the telecommunication sector locally, regionally and internationally to talk about the evolution of the internet and internet policy generally.
The sessions are hosted by the Bureau of Telecommunications & Post St. Maarten in collaboration with the Internet Society (ISOC), with TelEm Group making it possible for Minister Richardson to communicate with the participants with a live streaming connection.
TelEm Group is making the connection available as a contribution to the event to recognize the importance that the seminar and the discussions can have on the evolution of internet services on St. Maarten and further afield.
TelEm Group has several participants attending the seminar and will also be addressing the gathering about broadband and internet services provided by the company to the business and residential community.
Other participants are government policy makers, local businesses, Internet Service Providers, the St. Maarten hospitality industry and the ICT sector.
"We are honoured to assist with such an important information session for expects in the field locally and globally and we have put everything in place to ensure that all goes well technically," said Public Relations Office for TelEm Group, Joe Dominique.
He said the company will be especially interested in what participants have to say about global internet rates and ways of providing internet access for everyone.
For many years TelEm Group has worked closely with government and organizations to make internet access as widespread throughout the community as possible including free high-speed internet services to all government and government-aided schools on the island.