Above: Lisa Agard, CEO of TSTT and Ministers Marvin Gonzales and Camille Robinson-Regis (l-r) launch free WiFi at Eddie Hart Grounds. Photo courtesy TSTT.

On Thursday, 27th April 2023, the free public WiFi at the grounds was officially switched on by the CEO of TSTT and the Ministers of Public Utilities and Housing and Urban Development.

The Eddie Hart Grounds offers residents and visitors a spacious green zone to exercise or enjoy outdoor recreation in East Trinidad. In recent years, it has become a ‘foodie’s paradise’ according to TSTT CEO Lisa Agard.

The food strip has gained tremendous popularity over the years – just visit on a Friday and Saturday night or take a scan of Tik Tok and Instagram and you will see,” she said. “This hub represents the best of us – food, music, family, sports, and community.”

TSTT has also successfully deployed free public WiFi at Queens Park Savannah and Woodford Square and will soon add locations in San Fernando and Tobago. In bringing connectivity to the venue, the company deployed over 780 metres of fibre optic cable and worked with T&TEC and Huawei to bring the project to life.

Users can search their device’s settings for ‘bmobile_WiFi’ and will then be directed to a bmobile authentication webpage. They can access two hours of internet over 24 hours for free, with no password required.

As Trinidad and Tobago’s largest communications solutions provider, Agard noted that this investment reaffirms its commitment to improving access to connectivity for all citizens. TSTT has invested $10.9 billion into improving communications and connectivity between 2005 and 2021. According to Agard, the benefit of that investment is “Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a mobile device penetration of 146% by population and that 99.5% of the population has access to high-speed broadband internet.”

“So many of our public sector services and companies depend on TSTT to power our communication,” said Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales, who welcomed TSTT’s investment in the area.

“We have worked to deliver ICT-driven community centres to provide internet to under-served communities as well. We are pursuing a number of initiatives to ensure that we move Trinidad and Tobago forward and internet access is key to this as much as other public utilities like our water or electricity providers. Internet access is a vital utility and the Government is serious about ensuring that we transform our beautiful twin island State into a digital society. And we cannot do that without TSTT,”

Food truck entrepreneur Sheldon Mansingh who pioneered the Eddie Hart Food Strip, first approached the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation to allow food vendors to use the car park space. Mansingh was honoured with a token of appreciation by bmobile.

“I’m happy for the recognition this evening.” Mansingh said.

“The Food Strip has grown from just about five vendors to fifty. And now with WiFi, it will help accelerate online orders and have a stronger connection for security and entertainment purposes as well as for our electronic payment platforms which is great!”

Mansingh also noted that the WiFi is a welcome addition for customers and those who frequent the area for exercise.