Flow to Make Christmas Better

Christmas is the time of year when Jamaicans make every effort to connect with their relatives and friends in other parts of the island or overseas as part of the holiday season celebrations.  With Flow’s broadband technology, it’s easier than ever to make these connections with the fastest internet speeds and crystal clear telephone calls at the most affordable rates. The company has announced new offers that will give consumers savings of as much as $6,000 when they sign up for service between now and the end of the year.
Flow has introduced a special promotion with a range of special deals and free gifts for all customers, that make staying in touch and celebrating Christmas better than ever.

 All new Flow customers who sign up for service will enjoy the benefits of free installation of services,  free service for 1 month  and free upgrades, depending on the Watch, Talk of Click product they choose.

“We are committed to ensuring that our consumers get the best value for the services that enhance their lives, and enable them to enjoy special moments,” Said Michele English, president and coo of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of the Flow brand. “We know the importance of connecting with loved ones, and are pleased to be able to offer the technology to enable that.  We believe that the special offers we have for every customer will help to make this Christmas better, and also allow us to say thank you to our customers for choosing Flow.”

Flow is making internet service even more affordable for consumers by giving free installation and a free wireless upgrade for all customers who sign up for  any internet (Click) package.   With the fastest internet speeds available, Flow delivers the best experience for surfing and streaming with faster file downloads, the  best quality and performance for on-line gaming, and a Skype experience without the bother of buffering. A Flow Click package is a great gift for students who can take advantage of a range of online education resources.

Customers who select a Talk package will get free installation plus a free Flow Connect service for 1 month. Flow Connect makes it easier and more affordable for those overseas to call home to their friends and family in Jamaica. This package provides the Flow customer in Jamaica with a US, Canadian or UK landline telephone number that rings on the home one in Jamaica. When the person overseas dials the number, the call is charged as a local call to the caller, therefore saving the cost of an international call.

Flow’s digital cable TV service (Watch) gives customers the best value for home entertainment with the most channels plus the option to view programmes OnDemand.  For this holiday season, Flow is giving all new customers free installation and free service for one month of their base package. In addition, as a gift from Flow, all customers will have free access to Flow’s Subscription Video OnDemand service during December. This means that in addition to the scheduled programming on the over 300 channels on the Flow network, every customer will be able to watch over 1,000 hours of movies, TV series, concerts, documentaries and kids programming, when they want and as often as they want.
 
“For this holiday season we have created opportunities for our customers to give themselves and their loved ones gifts that have real and lasting value,” English remarked. “We continuously aim to offer services that enhance the lives of Jamaicans and transform the ways they play, work and learn.”

Since 2006 when Columbus Communications began offering services to Jamaican consumers, the company has quickly become the leading provider of digital cable, landline and internet. The company’s technology continues to have a profound impact on the way Jamaicans do business, enjoy entertainment at home and connect with the world.

Value Flows OnDemand

Domino’s and Flow Partner to deliver Pizza and a Movie in a Living Room Near You

As consumers continue to seek affordable and economical options for family entertainment, home-based solutions are gaining popularity; particularly those that offer choice and convenience. Flow OnDemand let’s customer watch what they want, when they want from the comfort of their own home. With Flow OnDemand, consumers are able to enjoy a variety of in-home entertainment options and avoid the higher costs that are associated with out of home entertainment events.

Jamaican consumers have had access to Flow’s Video OnDemand service since 2010. With Video OnDemand, consumers are able to purchase videos from a large library of an extensive variety of content, to watch at their convenience in the comfort of their home. Flow’s Video OnDemand library includes  hundreds of hours of programming for all ages and preferences, including movies, TV series, local plays, music events, and children’s programming.  Every month more content is added so that customers can always find something new and entertaining to watch. 

“We are committed to ensuring that the technology we have brought to Jamaica provides consumers with affordable access to state-of-the-art entertainment options as part of their cable television service,” said Michele English, president and coo for Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of the Flow brand. “Flow OnDemand is the perfect solution for consumers who are seeking to manage their budgets while still needing to make the time to relax and enjoy the entertainment of their choice.”

With the price of a premiere movie being only $350.00, Flow OnDemand enables an entire family to enjoy a blockbuster movie at home, for less than it would cost to purchase a single ticket at the cinema.

In order to bring even more value for customers, Flow has partnered with Domino’ Pizza for a special offer that will further enhance the in-home family entertainment experience. Every week between October 15 and December 9, 50 customers will get a free Flow Pizza Party Package  when they watch the movies Battleship and American Pie: The Reunion on Flow OnDemand.  The first 50 customers to watch either movie titles each week will receive a package containing Domino’s newly launched buttery handmade Pan Pizza, a serving of light fluffy cheesy bread, warm delicious lava cakes, and 3 20oz sodas.

“Domino’s is widely considered the Delivery Experts in the pizza industry.  One could actually say we deliver hot, delicious pizzas to thousands of customer per week “On-Demand” – so partnering with Flow OnDemand is a perfect fit,” says Sean Scott – CEO of Wisynco Foods Ltd. “In addition to providing world class delivery service, Domino’s is also committed to providing the best value for customers. Therefore, we are very excited for the opportunity to provide 50 customers per week with dinner and a movie for the entire family at the low cost of $350,” explains Scott.

Battleship, a summer 2012 blockbuster movie, features Barbadian-born pop singer Rihanna in an action adventure about a fleet of US Navy ships forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origin in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals. American Pie: Reunion is the 3rd in the popular America Pie series of movies and depicts the continuing adventures of a group of friends reuniting after their first year of college. These two movies are just 2 of a library of over 100 movie titles currently available on Flow OnDemand.

Flow is the first and only cable service provider to offer OnDemand programming in Jamaica. The broadband service provider also offers consumers the option of a monthly Subscription OnDemand package where a single monthly fee offers unlimited access to over 1000 hours of programming. Flow OnDemand is accessed via Flow Channel 1000, where viewers can scroll through a list of all On Demand content to select the programme of their choice.

Schools to Demonstrate Best Practices in Flow Technology Competition

On Wednesday, October 3, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, introduced a Technology Competition for schools as part of its ‘Building Leaders Through Technology Programme’ in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Microsoft and the Jamaica Observer. 

The competition dubbed the ‘Flow in My School Technology Competition’, seeks to highlight excellence in the use of technology and share best practices. Participating schools should complete their registration online with a 500-word essay on how they use technology and how they have or will be celebrating Jamaica 50.



President and chief operating officer of Columbus Communications, operators of the Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, Michele English, is photographed with students of Jamaica College (JC).  Jamaica College is one of the more than 140 schools across the island who benefit from free commercial grade internet and digital cable as a part of the ‘Flow Building Leaders through Technology’ initiative.  The media briefing for the Flow in My School Technology Competition took place yesterday, October 3, at the Wyndham Hotel.



The competition is open to all schools that currently use Flow donated services of high speed internet and educational cable line-up.

Participants will compete for the grand prize which will include eight All-In-One HP Computers, an Electronic Mimio White Board as well as individual electronic prizes including a laptop and tablets for the teacher and participating students.

Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education, who gave the keynote address at the briefing, addressed how technology could be used to enhance the quality of education in schools.

“We are offering a product which does not excite the minds of many of our students…The creative and compassionate use of technology from the early stage allows us the prospect of a bright new future for this land. After all, this is Jamaica 50 and we are on a mission to provide quality education.”

Minister Thwaites also spoke about the upcoming e-Learning project facilitated by technology provided by Flow, which would provide for education equity for students across the island.

“…Because of the internet connectivity by Flow, and the technology sponsored through their partners… the plan is to roll out a pilot basis an option for education which would provide the very best education… to our students in the most remote areas in Jamaica in areas of weakness in Mathematics and Literacy. This is an entirely different vista for our people, a virtual epiphany for our people,” he said.



The competition which will be open for online registration until October 8, is also giving schools that make it to the semi-finalist round, additional exposure through its television channel, Flow TV.  Semi-finalist schools will be featured in a short programme highlighting interested facts about their schools and showcasing aspects of their entries on technology usage and their Jamaica 50 celebrations.

Michele English, president and chief operating officer of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, hopes that this year’s competition will set the stage for a national calendar event, in the years to come.  According to English, “Since Columbus’ inception the focus on enhancing education has always been a priority. Through our flagship corporate social responsibility programme, Building Leaders Through Technology, more than 140 schools over 10 parishes, are provided with commercial grade internet and cable connections to enhance the teaching and learning environments.  Our high-speed broadband service and digital cable connections in schools located in both urban and rural areas, has leveled the playing field to enable the kinds of innovations that our teachers and students need to propel us into the next generation of great thinkers, entrepreneurs and nation builders.”

The briefing also gave teachers in attendance useful insight on technology trends in the classroom through a presentation by Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee, Director of Mona Geoinformatics Institute.   Dr. Lyew-Ayee explained that students were comfortable with technology and teachers should incorporate them in their teaching methods to be more effective.



“…Exposing children to technology at an early stage, makes them comfortable with it. It leads to experimentation and innovation… Technology is an enabler for growth and it should be a comfortable learning tool… Flow has made the infrastructure available. You should [make use of the technology],” he said.

Teacher Mark McKnight of Drews Avenue Primary School thanked Flow for their contribution and for introducing the competition. “The exposure that the students will receive as a result of the competition is great for them.  It will certainly provide them with motivation to push ahead and learn more. Flow is doing a great thing here. They are certainly innovators in technology and providing the school with what the students need to excel, we are certainly grateful.”

Schools who wish to check their eligibility and register for the competition should visit Flow’s Facebook page and click on the Flow In My School Technology Competition tab.  Schools can also email buildingleaders@flowjamaica.com for further information.

Conversations with 50UnderFifty for FLOW TV

Fifty of Jamaica’s leading civic and business leaders, under the age of 50, are being recognized for their significant influence on nation building in a special initiative spearheaded by the PSOJ and the Gleaner with support from the private sector.  The Gleaner/PSOJ 50UnderFifty Award recognizes the 50 influencers who, based on their current contributions to the country, are expected to make a significant impact on Jamaica’s civic and business landscape over the next 50 years and beyond.  

 As part of this exciting initiative, an exclusive television programme has been developed by one of the main sponsors of the event, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of the Columbus Business Solutions and Flow brands.  The programmes, hosted by Sandra Glasgow, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ)with each episode  presented as a discussion among 4 or 5 of the awardees grouped in sector or industry categories,   will be shown exclusively on Flow TV.

The features are riveting as the conversations explores various trends and guiding principles that play a critical role in achieving success in the awardees’ various business endeavours. Glasgow expects that “Conversations with 50UnderFifty” will make interesting and compelling viewing as it presents some inspiring stories. “These are truly some remarkable individuals… creative and fearless,” she says. “Our business leaders are unearthing new focus in their business and it bodes well for our economy. I am pleased with the awardees who are all brilliant, creative thinkers, willing to take the risks necessary to move this great nation forward.”

Glasgow also said that the programme has revealed the significance of family owned enterprises in the Jamaican business landscape. “It was not surprising to note that several nominees were second and third generation in their family businesses, who ensured business continuity into the future,” she said. “Their companies have also thrived with the introduction of innovative ideas and by adopting best practices necessary in our technology driven society.”

Through the 50UnderFifty Awards, the PSOJ in partnership with the Gleaner Company, Columbus Business Solutions and NCB, celebrates Jamaica 50 by acknowledging the business achievements of the nation over the last 50 years, while at the same time looking forward to the future by highlighting those business leaders who are poised to help Jamaica achieve its Vision 2030.The partners acknowledge that if Jamaica is to become “the place of choice to live, do business and raise families”, the talents of this group of men and women will likely be brought to bear in strengthening the private sector and lead to sustained economic growth for Jamaica.  The businesses that they represent, along with those who have already made significant contributions to Jamaica’s economy, will be the “ones to watch” in the future.

Denise Williams, director of corporate and government affairs of Columbus Communications Jamaica Ltd, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands, believes that the programme will inspire other young entrepreneurs as they chart the course to achieving their business goals.“At Columbus we are proud to partner with the Gleaner and PSOJ to highlight the achievements, philosophies and insights of these 50 leaders,” she said. “Our intention is that our technology will transform lives of Jamaica’s citizens and the nation, and so we are pleased to have this opportunity to bring the stories and ideas of the awardees to Flow TV in order to inspire others who themselves will have a critical role to play in shaping our nation’s future.”

Conversations with 50UnderFifty will be seen in episodes titled The Shot Callers, The Producers,  The Innovators, The Entrepreneurs, The Imaginators, The Power Brokers, The Educators, The Financiers, The Leisure Tycoons, and The Game Changers. Each new episode will premiere each week on Thursdays at 9:00pm on Flow TV Channel 100, with repeats on Sundays at 5:30pm and Tuesdays at 8pm.

AMCHAM honours Civic and Business Leaders for excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility

Last Tuesday, (September 25), the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) honoured several individuals and organizations for their philanthropic and social responsibility efforts. Speaking at the event Dianna Stewart, President of AMCHAM Jamaica said that her organization felt that this Award was important to showcase the work of businesses, individuals and non-profit organisations that are willing and committed to enabling community and nation building via sustainable economic and social initiatives.
Columbus Communication Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, emerged as the winner of the Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (large Company) for their contribution to education, sports, arts & culture and community development.

They were chosen from a group of other leading organizations including, Jamaica Public Service, Pan-Caribbean, Carib Cement, LIME, J. Wray and Nephew Ltd. Jamaica Gypsum & Quarries Ltd and Gore Construction who were also nominated in this category.

Other winners on the night included:

· Dr. The Hon. R Danvers Williams who was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award

· The band Fab 5 and Patricia C. Ramsay were awarded in the Arts and Culture Category

· Hanover Charities, Holy Spirit Ministries and Sister Grace V. Yap were awarded in the Civic Leadership category.

Accepting the award in her category, Michele English, President and COO of Columbus, said that “this was a proud moment and great honour for Columbus. We believe it is our responsibility to promote social, economic and environmental sustainability—as we profitable grow our business and reach higher levels of performance.” She encouraged other companies to integrate more social initiatives as part of their business models.