LEO WiFiGY rolls out nationwide, bringing reliable high-speed internet to Guyana’s most remote communities
Guyana’s most remote communities are now experiencing reliable high-speed internet for the first time, as government’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) WiFiGY programme reaches full national coverage.
The initiative, led by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has expanded across all 253 Indigenous villages, linking more than 135,000 hinterland, riverain and remote residents to steady, 24-hour service.
For families, especially those in areas where mobile data often competes with groceries or transportation costs, the new system is easing long-standing financial pressure. Parents in places like Waiakabra no longer have to buy large data packages for schoolwork, while teachers in rural schools now have access to online training that was previously out of reach.
Communities that struggled with weak or unstable service are seeing the biggest transformation. In Aishalton, South Rupununi, local leaders explained that the old private mobile data system would crash once more than 15 people logged in.
Students pursuing GOAL courses and trainee teachers at CPCE were often unable to join online classes, creating major setbacks. With the LEO system now installed at the village office and slated for the ICT hub, residents finally have a stable connection. Priority access is being given to students and teachers who need to submit assignments or attend virtual sessions.
Government officials say the programme was designed specifically for harsh hinterland conditions, using solar-powered, pole-mounted units that can operate around the clock. The Prime Minister noted that the project is about more than internet access—it is about reducing long-standing inequalities between the coast and the interior and ensuring that every child and entrepreneur has a fair chance at digital opportunities.
Early feedback from village learning centres and schools shows students completing assignments faster and more people signing up for GOAL’s digital-skills programmes, marking a major step in bridging Guyana’s digital divide.
