In keeping with upgraded standards of communication trends all around the world, FLOW, one of Anguilla’s main telecommunication services providers, has embarked on a new frontier through the opening of its new hi-tech customer services facility at FLOW Central in the Valley.
These new and improved services were revealed on Monday morning, August 20th, when FLOW opened its new Super Store to the public at a ceremony in its courtyard.
Cable and Wireless, the island’s first telecommunications company, had always provided its customers with cutting edge technology since introducing to Anguilla what was then an evolving telecom system back in 1971. Today, FLOW, which has been more recently transformed from the company LIME, is determined to do no less through its multifaceted, customer-friendly, innovative telecommunication services.
On Monday, FLOW’s Retail Sales Associate, Ms. Shakeema Carty, moderated the inauguration ceremony for the new facility, while a prayer of thanksgiving for the accomplishment was offered by Mrs. Deseree Duncan, FLOW’s AP and Admin Officer.
In presenting opening remarks, Retail Store Manager, Vanessa Ruan, pointed out: “The modern facilities offered inside our building have been developed to improve the services we provide to our valued customers. This, together with the many changes that have transpired over the past two years, completes an overall modernization of the local FLOW company.
“Keeping our people connected, as active and vibrant players in the world community, has been the pleasure and privilege of this great company which was formerly known as Cable and Wireless. FLOW has the privilege today of connecting communities and transforming lives.”
In making pointed remarks of commendation, the Hon. Curtis Richardson, Minister responsible for Communications, said: “I am extremely proud of Cable and Wireless, now FLOW. I would like to recognize and thank all of the other telecommunication services providers in Anguilla, but I would particularly like to commend Cable & Wireless/FLOW. I truly admire their continued investments in providing telecom services for our people, and that is why I wish to remain as a steadfast customer of FLOW — having been pleased with their efficient and reliable services since Cable & Wireless’ early years.
“FLOW has a serious interest in Anguilla’s growth and development. As I travel throughout the region, I observe that FLOW has stepped up to the challenges of meeting people’s needs in the region for telecommunication services. Now FLOW has stepped up to meet the needs of Anguilla’s local clientele. FLOW has remained an inextricable part of the lives of the people of Anguilla. As such, the company is to be highly commended and applauded.”
Minister Richardson concluded: “Congratulations Flow!”
As Mr. Desron Bynoe, FLOW’s Country Manager, took the podium to address the gathering, he invited all attendees to stand in observing a moment of silence in respect of Mr. Everet Romney, who was the first local CEO of Cable and Wireless, Anguilla. Mr. Romney passed away on July 28th.
Mr. Bynoe then began his comments by saying: “Welcome to our new customer experience center. This improvement is a testament of Cable & Wireless and FLOW’s investment in Anguilla. Since October 29th 1971, FLOW (then Cable & Wireless) has been making strides in the local telecommunications industry, and we are here to stay to continue making such investments in our communities. We have spent in excess of EC$100,000 to make sure that we re-fit and give our customers first-world experience that we have grown accustomed to when we do travel. We wanted to ensure that we brought those kinds of innovated services to Anguilla in order to match the changing times.
“Today, I would like to highlight the partnership which we have officially forged with Samsung. Samsung has been an integral part of making sure that the customer experience comes to life in the store by demonstrating to the customer the advancement in technologies that we do have to offer.”
Mr. Bynoe continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to our patient and understanding customers. Since we began construction on the store on July 22nd, we have been operating out of a rather crammed space which would have inconvenienced some of our customers. So, I would like to express sincere thanks on behalf of management and staff for our customers’ patience. However, it would be discovered soon that our new facilities do compensate for any inconvenience caused through renovating.
“Finally, special mention must be made of the fact that supplies and workmanship for the construction of the new store were provided by a cast of all Anguillian merchants and craftsmen. The only external involvement was with our Project Manager, Mr. Ian Jones, who rendered human service with respect to ensuring that we would open on time.”
The next person to speak was FLOW’s Commercial Manager, Mrs. Jade Raymond-Richardson, who introduced the benefits of FLOW’s Bundle Offering: “FLOW has always been at the forefront of telecom progress in the Caribbean with great services and technology. We did keep Anguilla connected during Hurricanes Irma and Gonzalo. We form part of the fabric of life in Anguilla where we serve. FLOW is upgrading its networks and platforms to ensure that customers can remain connected with our new Triple Play Bundle Offering.
“With our new Triple Play Bundle Offering, we offer three amazing services in one value-packed bundle — our re-imagined FLOW tv; fast and reliable internet; and convenient landline services. With each of these, our customers also get other benefits such as access to our award-winning online study portal app, FLOW Study, Video on Demand — recording hours that will enable our customers to download their favorite shows — as well as bonus international and local calling minutes from landlines.
“We also feature premium content on the Caribbean’s top-rated sports network, FLOW Sports, which is now included as part of our FLOW sports package. Overall, FLOW remains committed to enhancing customer experiences across our wide range of services.”
Cutting of the ribbon for entrance into the innovative FLOW Super Store was performed by Hon. Curtis Richardson. Inside, what was once a stand-in-line system has been transformed into an ultramodern arrangement which enables customers to virtually serve themselves by simply first obtaining a service number from the “Check-in” machine at the right of the entrance. From there the customer is guided through the service route — whether he or she would need to pay bills, make a top-up, purchase a device or accessories, or even charge a phone. FLOW’s contemporary Super Store offers a wide range of revolutionary telecom technologies and services that would make Anguilla proud.
The Anguillian, as a community service newspaper, takes this opportunity to say congratulations to FLOW for its advancements in providing modern state-of-the-art features in 21st century telecommunications technology.
