How MSI Americas benchmarking of FLOW Jamaica and Digicel Jamaica reveals FLOW Jamaica has faster 3G

“These results underscore the phenomenal amount of work that our technical team has put in to ensure our network can stand up to scrutiny. While we have invested heavily in our network, we must pay tribute to the tremendous sacrifices our team continues to make to ensure our customers receive superior service”

Managing Director of Flow Jamaica, Garry Sinclair commenting on the results of the benchmarking test done by MSI Americas

Despite all of FLOW Jamaica's problems, they do have a few things to smile about this February 2016.

MSI Americas, an independent team of international network analysts, recently made their benchmarking and drive tests for Digicel and FLOW Jamaica public as reported in the article “Engineering Company Ranks Flow Top For Frequency And Quality”, published Tuesday February 9, 2016, The Jamaica Gleaner. 

The results from this highly regarded, independent team of international network suggest that of the two Telecom Providers, FLOW Jamaica is the faster, stronger and more reliable network on the island.

This doesn’t surprise me, given the fact that Netflix had said that they have the slowest Internet of the three (3) Telecom Providers in Jamaica a year ago in February 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “Netflix says Digicel has slowest Broadband Internet – Why Digicel still slow after CLARO despite Apples and Oranges as 4G LTE beckons”. 

Really, you may quip sarcastically? Telecom Provider FLOW Jamaica is better than Telecom Provider Digicel Jamaica?

After all, you may have been one of the many Jamaicans complaining about their Cable TV Service back in October 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “74 Percent increase in FLOW Jamaica problems to OUR - FLOW's infrastructure problems as Digicel Fibre is coming”. 

But alas, this is about Network Performance, not public perception.

So what are these results from MSI Americas exactly?

MSI Americas benchmarking of FLOW Jamaica and Digicel Jamaica - Revealing that Telecom Provider really have 3G Internet

As MSI Americas is a respected team of international network specialists, their word is golden.

MSI Americas took some 26,000 samples per provider, which are basically tests from within the Telecom Provider's Network, as FLOW Jamaica and Digicel Jamaica gave them permission and access to their Telecom Switching platforms. This would involve test voice and Data Calls as well as evaluation of other Network KPI (Key Performance Index) to see if they made the benchmark.

According to MSI Americas, they outrank Digicel outranks in three out of four benchmark tests, earning a comparative rating on the fourth benchmark test.

The MSI Americas results are summarized as follows:

1.      99% of the Flow Jamaica samples remained on the 3G instead of 2G

2.      2.4 more times re-selection from 3G to 2G by Digicel Jamaica

3.      More locations with excellent 3G speed

4.      3Mbps and higher speeds with Flow Jamaica than with Digicel Jamaica

5.      Superior radio frequency quality with Flow Jamaica

6.      Higher 3G retention with Flow Jamaica

Good to note here that MSI Americas refers to their “4G” Network as a 3G network, which lends credence to my blog and the Geezam blog declaration that their Network is really just faster 3G called HSDPA or H+ as noted in my Geezam blog entitled “How to Access LIME or Digicel’s 3G Internet using an unlocked Huawei E1556 Modem Dongle or Nokia Modem Dongle”.  

So what does FLOW have in store for Jamaica?

FLOW Jamaica Upgrade in 2016 - 4G LTE, FTTH and Call Center of Excellence coming

FLOW Jamaica is undertaking a raft of upgrades as noted in the article “Flow says it tops competitor in islandwide mobile benchmarking tests”, published Tuesday, February 09, 2016, The Jamaica Observer.

According to Managing Director of Flow Jamaica, Garry Sinclair, they'll be addressing the many complaints from their customers, quote: “Flow Jamaica will not rest on these latest achievements. We will continue to make improvements to our networks, our infrastructure and facilities while investing in our people to continue to address customers’ concerns and to surpass their needs”.

First, they'll be upgrading to 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) sometime later in 2016, which may possibly involved an upgrade to FTTH (Fiber to the home) for their FLOW Cable TV Network as noted in my blog article entitled “Why FLOW Jamaica's 4G LTE Upgrade to counter Digicel Play needs islandwide LTE, VDSL and DOCSIS 3.1”. 

Not so fond of their plan to only upgrade the metropolitan areas only, but at least they've bumped some 70,000 customers to 20 Mbps since December 2016 as noted in my blog article entitled “Why FLOW Jamaica to increase Internet Packages come February 1st 2016”. 

They are also testing their Call Center, which is supposed to be launched in 2016 as well as noted in my MICO Wars Blog article entitled “FLOW Jamaica Fiber Optic upgrade means FTTH, 4G LTE and Call Center by 2016”. 

According to my Call Center sources, this new Call Center will be staffed by Jamaicans and will be a client of GraceKennedy in their New Call Center located at the Kingston CSO (Central Sorting Office) located on 6-10 Camp Road in Downtown Kingston as reported in my blog article entitled “How to find work in Jamaica at Call Centers - GraceKennedy Call Center necessary for Product Customer Support”.

The MSI Americas proves that they are the better of the two Telecom Providers. To counters the rising star that is Digicel Play, now 10,000 subscribers strong as described in my blog article entitled “Why Digicel Play 10,000 Subscribers spells trouble for FLOW Jamaica”, they have to do launch 4G LTE and FTTH islandwide.

Here’s the link:

MSI Americas website

MSI Americas Twitter handle: @MSIAmericas

MSI Americas Facebook Page

MSI Americas Youtube Channel